During an interview, Thirdway Alliance party leader Dr. Ekuru Aukot delivered a blistering condemnation of Kenya's political elite, accusing both the ruling government and the traditional opposition of profound dishonesty and fundamental betrayal. His powerful remarks cut through the conventional political discourse, highlighting a deep-seated frustration with the nation's leadership.
Dr. Aukot did not mince words, questioning the integrity of long-standing political figures, especially in the wake of the recent, tragic Gen Z-led protests. He directly challenged opposition leader Raila Odinga, demanding to know why a motion to impeach President William Ruto has not been brought forward, particularly in light of what Aukot termed "state-sponsored killings" during the demonstrations. This pointed question underscores Aukot's conviction that the current political landscape is marred by a systemic lack of accountability.
"For the longest time in this country, we’ve been dealing with political conmanship," Aukot asserted, capturing the essence of his disillusionment. He expanded on this sentiment, lamenting the continuous focus on what he called "political cartels" – specifically naming Raila Odinga, William Ruto, and even former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i. "Kenya is a country of 60 million Kenyans. And we are so stuck on discussing what I call political cartels... These people have been in government for decades, and we’ve experienced their bad leadership," he argued, suggesting that the nation's progress is perpetually hampered by a recycled political class.
Aukot’s fiery comments gain particular resonance amidst growing criticism of Raila Odinga's decision to join the broad-based government in March 2025. This cooperation, often defended by its proponents as a move towards national unity, is seen by critics like Aukot as a profound betrayal of the opposition’s fundamental role. "Raila and his team are also very dishonest people. They have claimed that they are the opposition. Why haven’t they brought even a motion to impeach President William Ruto?" Aukot passionately queried. "You can’t be fraternising with somebody who is killing our children."
Speaking with raw emotion as a parent, Aukot condemned the police killings during the recent Gen Z-led protests in the strongest possible terms. He vividly painted a picture of unarmed youth, simply chanting "we are peaceful" and waving Kenyan flags, being met with lethal force. "Our children were just armed with a Kenyan flag and a phone, chanting ‘we are peaceful,’ and they were shot. This guy was just selling masks and was shot in the head. What was the reason for that?" he lamented, highlighting the arbitrary and tragic nature of the violence.
For Aukot, this perceived complicity or inaction by the traditional opposition signals its irrelevance. "The so-called opposition is cosmetic in this country. It’s a dead institution," he declared, pulling no punches.
In a stark warning, Aukot suggested that a "people-led revolution" might be the only viable path forward for Kenya. While clarifying that he was "not advocating for a coup," he stated, "I think there’s going to be a people’s revolution against any regime that fails." He referenced Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traoré as an example of bold leadership that prioritizes the people, contrasting it sharply with what he perceives as Kenya's self-serving political alliances. Furthermore, Aukot critically assessed the National Assembly, dismissing it as a mere "extension of the Executive" that has utterly failed in its core duties of legislating, representing its constituents, and providing essential oversight. "The Executive and Legislature are political Siamese twins. We’ve failed completely," he concluded, painting a grim picture of Kenya's institutional health.
Dr. Ekuru Aukot's unvarnished critique adds a powerful voice to the rising tide of disillusionment with conventional politics. His call for a "people's revolution" reflects a deep frustration brewing among citizens who feel unrepresented and betrayed by their leaders, signaling a demand for a fundamentally different approach to governance in Kenya.
