Kimani Ichung’wah, the National Assembly Majority Leader, recently faced tough questions from Mehdi Hasan on Al Jazeera about President William Ruto’s administration.
The discussion revolved around the government’s track record on campaign promises, human rights violations, and accusations of police brutality. Ichung’wah struggled to defend the administration, often dismissing the concerns raised as politically motivated or exaggerated.
One of the most pressing issues was the alleged enforced disappearances of protesters by the police. Mehdi Hasan referenced reports from human rights groups that claim dozens of Kenyans have either been killed or gone missing after participating in anti-government protests.
However, Ichung’wah denied these claims, saying there was no evidence that the state was responsible. He insisted that such reports were nothing more than a conspiracy aimed at discrediting Ruto’s leadership.
The conversation took a sharp turn when Hasan brought up the case of former Attorney General Justin Muturi, who had publicly claimed that his son was abducted by security forces after attending protests. Instead of addressing the issue directly, Ichung’wah dismissed Muturi’s claims, accusing him of playing politics.
He even hinted that Muturi might soon be removed from his government position, further fueling speculation about internal power struggles within Ruto’s administration.
Another topic that put Ichung’wah on the defensive was the extravagant lifestyles of some Kenyan politicians. When asked about his own wealth, he admitted to being worth close to 1 billion Kenyan shillings, attributing it to his business ventures before entering politics.
He acknowledged that some MPs flaunt their wealth in an insensitive manner but claimed that he often advises them against it. This response did little to reassure critics who believe corruption and unexplained wealth remain major problems in Kenya’s leadership.
On the issue of campaign promises, Mehdi Hasan pointed out that Ruto’s government had only fulfilled a tiny fraction of the pledges made during the 2022 elections. Reports suggest that out of 281 promises, only 14 had been delivered, a mere five percent.
Ichung’wah, however, defended the government, arguing that implementing a manifesto takes time and cannot be judged in just a few years. He avoided directly addressing specific unfulfilled promises such as free internet, a crackdown on corruption, and ratification of human rights treaties.
The interview highlighted the growing frustration with Ruto’s administration, both locally and internationally.
