Why Kenya’s democracy suffers greatly after every election cycle

Analysts Warn: Kenya’s Democracy Weakens After Every Electoral Cycle
Kenya’s democratic health is steadily eroding with each election, according to a recent commentary by analyst Lawi Sultan Njeremani published in The Standard Group PLC. The article argues that although citizens diligently vote every five years, the very systems designed to hold leaders accountable subsequently fail them, as sovereignty is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few. Key flashpoints—such as uproars over the Finance Bill, the proposed housing levy, and disregard for judicial rulings—are cited as symptoms of a deeper crisis: elections that raise hope but seldom enable systemic change.
The analysis traces the roots of this decline to a disconnect between the 2010 Constitution’s promise of people‑power ( We the People ) and the reality of governance, where decisions are made behind closed doors and by elite consensus. The writer proposes the idea of a Sovereign Bill — a constitutional overhaul designed to return legislative power to citizens through mechanisms such as digital direct democracy, citizen‑initiated referenda, and recall votes. Examples include blockchain‑enabled platforms for public input, transparent traceability matrices for legislation, and the power for voters to suspend or dissolve parliament through popular petition.
Reactions to this argument have stirred debate among political observers. Supporters of the viewpoint see it as a timely call for structural renewal, arguing that superficial reforms won’t suffice if the electorate remains sidelined post‑polls. Detractors, however, question the feasibility of implementing such sweeping changes in a system where political bargaining and entrenched interests dominate. They warn that technology alone will not fix the underlying power dynamics without genuine institutional reform.
Looking ahead, the article challenges Kenyan stakeholders to move beyond merely procedural elections and begin building systems that embed citizen sovereignty year‑round, not just every five years. Whether through constitutional amendments to empower people’s vetoes, or digital platforms for real‑time legislative engagement, the future of Kenya’s democracy may depend less on who wins, and more on whether the rules of governance themselves evolve.