Ruto: Kenyans have broken free from politics of division

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto believes Kenyans are free from politics of division, tribe and personalities.

Addressing the country during the 60th Madaraka Day celebrations at the Moi stadium in Embu County on Thursday, Ruto said before the August, 2022 polls, Kenyan politics was at a worse stage.

"We must never forget that until fairly recently, our country’s politics was a divisive, violent, do-or-die affair by which neighbours, colleagues and even relatives were incited into hatred in the name of political competition," said the Head of State.

"In this dark era, the tribe was the fundamental term of all political engagement and the master variable of democratic contest. Many highly respected experts and eminent persons confidently affirmed that Kenyan politics is inherently tribal, and many leaders designed their political parties, policies and campaigns on the basis of raw tribal appeals," he added.

He said matters were made worse by leaders who esured that political discourse revolved around personalities, and the private interests of a few privileged individuals, and not the aspirations of the majority.

Madaraka is celebrated each 1st June to commemorate Kenya's attainment of of self rule from British colonisers.

According to the President, the August, 2022 polls provided a platform for Kenyans to free themselves from divisive and tribal politics.

He said for once, campaigns revolved around issues, specifically on the economy.

"In the last general elections, the people of Kenya finally broke free; the campaign was conducted purely on the basis of important national issues, foremost of which were economic issues," he added.

It was Ruto's first Madaraka Day celebrations since being elected into office in August, 2023.

This year's celebrations are being marked under the theme of enterprise.