The senate’s vote last week to confirm the impeachment of Ferdinand Waititu as the governor of Kiambu is the latest example of what is wrong with our politics: the criminalization of political differences.
The former governor was impeached by the county assembly on three vague counts — violating the constitution, violating national laws and gross misconduct.
I am no sympathizer of Baba Yao, but if a duly elected governor can be kicked out on such charges, then pretty much all the 47 governors can be sent home at any moment.
The voting pattern of senators, in which lawmakers allied to Deputy President William Ruto opposed the impeachment while those backing President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga voted to kick Waititu out, confirm that the so-called war against corruption has been weaponized to deal with one’s real or perceived enemies.
Some have argued that Waititu was impeachment for supporting DP Ruto and failing to drum up support for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
It is the reason why Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who is likely to face impeachment himself, has launched a last-minute campaign to support BBI.
Kenyans who cherish the freedoms we enjoy today should stand up and voice their concerns against this criminalization of political differences. We should agree to disagree, without seeking to punish those with different views.
Because if such moves are not opposed, it won’t take long before the democracy gains are wiped out and we slide into a dictatorship.