Repression Can Only End in Premium Tears for William Ruto
History has repeatedly shown that regimes that thrive on repression ultimately face their demise in disgrace. Leaders who claim to have risen to power through democratic processes are expected to govern with respect for constitutional principles, individual freedoms, and the rule of law. In Kenya, however, President William Ruto’s administration is steering the country in the opposite direction. What began as a promise of a “hustler nation” has devolved into an era of authoritarianism, arrogance, and disdain for the people’s will.
The political repression currently gripping Kenya mirrors the dark days of the post-independence era, when leaders trampled on the very ideals of democracy and liberty. During the second liberation of the 1990s, Kenyans fought relentlessly to unshackle themselves from the grip of an autocratic regime. Their struggle culminated in the adoption of the 2010 Constitution — a beacon of hope and a guarantee of freedoms. Yet today, these hard-won gains are being undone by a regime that prioritizes self-preservation over public service.
Alarmingly, Kenya’s descent into repression is not an isolated phenomenon. Across East Africa, authoritarianism is rearing its ugly head. Tanzania, once celebrated as a bastion of political moderation, has embraced authoritarian tendencies that echo Kenya’s current state of affairs. Fundamental rights such as freedom of expression are being systematically stripped away, leaving citizens voiceless and vulnerable.
At the heart of this regression lies the Ruto administration’s blatant disregard for constitutionalism. Kenya’s progressive Constitution, designed to safeguard democracy, has been desecrated. Instead of protecting the people, state institutions have been captured and repurposed to serve the interests of the ruling elite. The Executive has encroached on the independence of the judiciary, the police, and other institutions, rendering them mere puppets in its quest for unbridled power.
The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, exemplifies this institutional decay. Tasked with upholding law and order, Kanja has instead allowed the police force to become an instrument of repression. Political interference has compromised their independence, transforming them into agents of fear and intimidation rather than protectors of the citizenry.
Repression, however, is a futile strategy. History is unkind to leaders who silence dissent, trample on freedoms, and govern through coercion.
From autocratic regimes in Africa to despotic rulers across the globe, repression has always ended in premium tears for those in power.
The Ruto administration’s disregard for the Constitution, its arrogance, and its violent suppression of critics are sowing the seeds of its downfall.
As citizens, we must not stand idly by while our democracy is dismantled. The youth, especially, must rise to defend their future. The Constitution places sovereignty in the hands of the people. It is our duty to hold those in power accountable through peaceful means, legal avenues, and relentless advocacy. Social media offers a powerful platform to expose the regime’s excesses and mobilize collective action.
William Ruto and his regime must understand that power derived from repression is unsustainable. The voice of the people, Vox Populi, Vox Dei, will always prevail. Let the lessons of history serve as a warning: Repression can only end in one way — Premium tears.
