When leaders lose decorum, the nation pays the Price
At the heart of the issue is a growing normalisation of conduct unbecoming that should alarm every Kenyan. What we are witnessing is not healthy democratic competition. It is a race to the bottom
Kenya’s political discourse is fast sliding into dangerous territory.
What should be a contest of ideas, policies, and visions for the country has instead devolved into a spectacle of insults, personal attacks, and undignified exchanges among those entrusted with the highest offices in the land.
The ongoing war of words between President William Ruto and his former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua is not just a personal feud, rather, it is manifestly a troubling reflection of the state of our politics.
Sadly, what began as a political disagreement has now spiraled into a public contest of who can deliver the harshest insult, the sharpest jab, and the most damaging allegation.
This is not leadership. This is theatre, an indeed, a dangerous theatre.
At the heart of the issue is a growing normalisation of conduct unbecoming that should alarm every Kenyan.
When the President engages in body-shaming, when senior leaders resort to name-calling, and when public platforms are used to air deeply personal attacks, the message sent to the nation is clear, civility no longer matters.
But it does.
Leadership, especially at the highest level, is not just about authority, instead, it is about example.
The occupant of the institution of the presidency is not merely a political actor but a symbol of national unity. When that office is drawn into mudslinging contests, it diminishes not just the individual, but the institution itself.
Equally concerning is the response from across the political divide. Figures like Fred Matiang’i have rightly called for restraint and dignity, reminding leaders that Kenyans expect maturity and decorum. Yet even these calls risk being drowned out in an increasingly noisy and toxic political environment.
What we are witnessing is not healthy democratic competition. It is a race to the bottom.
Kenya has a long history of vibrant political engagement. Debate has often been heated, and disagreements sharp. But there has always been an underlying recognition, at least in principle, that certain lines should not be crossed. This week, those lines are being erased.
When leaders trade insults about physical appearance, make unverified and inflammatory accusations, or use language that demeans and dehumanises, they are not just attacking each other, rather, they are lowering the standards of public discourse for everyone.
And the consequences are far-reaching.
First, such conduct erodes public trust. Citizens look to their leaders for guidance, for stability, for a sense of direction. When leaders appear consumed by personal vendettas, it raises serious questions about their priorities. Are they focused on the challenges facing ordinary Kenyans—rising costs of living, unemployment, healthcare, education—or are they distracted by settling personal scores?
Secondly, it sets a dangerous precedent. Political culture is not confined to the top; it trickles down. When insults become the language of leadership, they quickly become the language of politics at every level—county assemblies, local campaigns, even community discussions.
The result is a coarsening of national dialogue that makes constructive engagement increasingly difficult.
Additionally, this trend risks inflaming divisions. Kenya’s history reminds us that careless rhetoric can have serious consequences.
Words matter. They shape perceptions, fuel emotions, and, in some cases, incite actions. Leaders who speak recklessly do so at the peril of national cohesion.
The timing is also worrying. With the 2027 elections still some distance away, the early escalation of tensions suggests a political season that could be long, bitter, and deeply polarising.
If this is the tone now, what will it be at the height of campaigns?
It does not have to be this way.
Kenyan leaders across the political spectrum must henceforth make a conscious decision to change course.
Disagreement is inevitable in politics, but it must be anchored in issues, not personalities. Criticism is necessary, but it must be grounded in facts, not insults.
The presidency, in particular, carries a unique responsibility. The words of the Head of State carry weight far beyond the moment in which they are spoken. They set the tone for national conversation. They signal what is acceptable and what is not.
That is why restraint is not a weakness, instead, it is a strength.
It is encouraging that some voices are calling for a return to civility. But this cannot be left to a few individuals. It must become a collective commitment. Political parties, civil society, religious leaders, and citizens themselves all have a role to play in demanding better from those in power.
Kenyans deserve leadership that inspires confidence, not embarrassment. They deserve debates that illuminate choices, not exchanges that degrade the dignity of public office. They deserve leaders who understand that power is not a license for excess, but a responsibility to uphold the highest standards.
The current trajectory is unsustainable. If left unchecked, it risks not only tarnishing reputations but weakening the very fabric of the nation.
It is time to draw the line.
Let the politics of insults end. Let the era of ideas begin.
