NAIROBI, Kenya- Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has launched a blistering attack on the government, accusing it of hypocrisy in its calls for respect and civility while engaging in divisive and incendiary rhetoric.
His remarks have spotlighted growing tensions between the political elite and Kenya’s digitally savvy youth, who are increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with the state of governance.
Sifuna, a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), did not hold back in his critique despite an existing working arrangement between the government and his party leader Raila Odinga.
“If you go to a function, speaker after speaker is talking about social media and curtailing the freedoms of the young people,” he said.
“Yet these are some of the vilest politicians on the mic. They cannot show you the respect they want other people to show them.”
Sifuna’s comments carry additional weight due to the evolving political dynamics in Kenya ahead of the 2027 general elections.
His party leader, Odinga, recently struck a deal with President William Ruto, forming a broad-based government.
In a controversial move, Odinga lent several of his party’s top members to the administration as “experts.”
They include Hassan Joho, Opiyo Wandayi, Wycliffe Oparanya and John Mbado- now serving as Cabinet Secretaries.
While some have interpreted this as a pragmatic effort to foster unity, others, have been critical of the truce.
Unlike many of his ODM counterparts, Sifuna has remained an outspoken critic, refusing to align himself with the government.
His defiance resonates with Kenyans who feel betrayed by the political rapprochement.
“The truth is, we know now, this thing is irreversible. The damage that this government has done to its own reputation is irreversible,” Sifuna remarked, reflecting the disillusionment among many citizens.
Young Kenyans have turned to social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok to voice their frustrations, often targeting government policies and actions.
This digital activism has ruffled feathers within the political establishment, prompting calls from politicians to regulate online speech.
“They know that there is very little that can be done between now and 2027 to reverse the fortunes of this regime,” Sifuna observed, adding that the youth have effectively “gotten under their skin.”
He emphasized the irony of politicians, who frequently engage in vitriolic public discourse, now demanding respect and decorum.
The government’s focus on curbing online freedoms has sparked fears of a crackdown on dissent.
Adding to the climate of fear are a series of abductions targeting government critics.
Since June last year, dozens of Kenyans have been reported missing.
These cases of abductions were documented by human rights organisations including state sponsored Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Although five individuals abducted in December were later released, the incidents have left many questioning the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens.
Rather than addressing these concerns, the administration has deflected blame onto parents, urging them to “take care of their children.”
This narrative, according to critics like Sifuna, is a thinly veiled attempt to evade accountability.
Sifuna urged Kenyans to remain steadfast in defending their constitutional rights.
“I want Kenyans to take confidence in the strength of our constitution to defend itself,” he said, underscoring the importance of legal safeguards against authoritarianism.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the government faces mounting pressure to restore public trust.
However, as Sifuna pointed out, the damage to its reputation may be too deep to repair.
