On March 17, 2026, Citizen TV’s Yvonne Okwara launched the 9pm prime-time newscast with stark words: “In one of the lowest political campaigns in Kenya, the country’s top leaders descended into mudslinging, name-calling, body shaming, raw insults, and generally indecent language. President Ruto and his former deputy Gachagua led the pack in an embarrassing performance ever recorded in the history of the country’s top offices. Tonight, we deliver the remarks raw and barely edited.”
Among the millions of Kenyans watching TV at home and abroad was Standard columnist Muchiri Karanja, who was seated with his children. “Listening to the President, especially the part where he ranted on and on about how an unnamed political opponent impregnated a girl ‘his daughter’s age’ and killed the baby, was jarring. It was not just political; it was deeply personal, crude and wholly inappropriate for a national political forum,” the journalist wrote.
A few days later, the cartoonist Maddo created a satirical sketch depicting the two politicians seated inside a toilet bowl, splashing each other with its contents. One declares, “Christ is my Saviour,” while the other retorts, “My spouse is a pastor.”
The exchange of crude insults between opposition leader Rigathi Gachagua, representing Democracy for Citizens Party, and President William Ruto shocked the nation. The media dutifully highlighted this sorry moment in Kenya’s democracy, bringing it into the living rooms, workplaces, matatus, and all public and private spaces across the country.
This shameful episode must be understood within the broader context of an increasingly toxic and intolerant political environment, where opponents are portrayed as enemies to be demeaned, humiliated, and even harmed. The media refused to let the event pass as normal political banter.
The Daily Nation painted a frightening picture. “Politics in the country appears not to just be getting dirtier but also vicious. The arena has been marked by public rallies that descend into verbal insults and personal attacks, and organized goons storming private properties. There have also been violent invasions of church gatherings, police raids and summonses targeting government critics; chaotic party grassroots elections; and retaliatory confrontations at funerals, fundraisers and sporting events.”
The insults are shocking but not surprising. We live in a country where the lack of basic decorum and relational skills is an unacknowledged crisis. It seems acceptable to lose control of oneself in public, rant and rave in blatant emotional outbursts. Calm, restrained and reasoned disagreement is rare. The political scene reflects this climate of indiscipline. The news headlines routinely depict political contests as “war”, “battle”, “vicious attacks” and similar descriptors that mimic and normalise violence.
This is where leadership should guide the nation on how to conduct oneself in public especially in times of open disagreement – which is normal in a democracy because we can’t all see things the same way. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 devotes an entire chapter to leadership and integrity. The authority assigned to a state officer is a public trust to be exercised in a manner that demonstrates respect for the people; brings honour to the nation and dignity to the office; and promotes public confidence in the integrity of the office.
The Star editors hit the nail on the head. “Ruto occupies a special place as the head of state; in the ordinary course of things, he should ignore the likes of Gachagua and focus on the real issues. Provoked or not, joining the fray, even though it should provide a warning to the instigators of the mess, should never be a defense.”
In other words, the President of the Republic of Kenya (and every leader) must always be the bigger person, never stooping low to petty contests. He must adhere to the constitutional bar of his high calling. The President is a symbol of national unity.
It is demagoguery we are witnessing, or a rhetorical race to the bottom. The mudslinging is never intended merely to demean the opponent by casting him or her as a hate figure; it is also political signalling designed to whip up the emotions of supporters instead of engaging them in rational, issue-based conversations about national affairs as the country heads to the 2027 election. You notice the mindless cheering to the insults and cheap point-scoring? That is what the politicians aim for.
“There is significant public concern as the leaders engage in insults, name-calling and physical confrontations. This behavior is a violation of standards of decorum and can undermine public trust and destabilize democratic institutions,” the Daily Nation stated in an editorial. “Leaders should always exercise restraint and compete on ideas and not in this bottom-of-the-barrel slugfest that casts doubts on integrity and doesn’t inspire hope.” We agree.
See you next week!
