No change: A tale of Deja vu in Kenya’s politics

Title: Kenya’s Political Cycle Feels Stuck in a Time Loop
Nairobi — A growing chorus of voices in Kenya is sounding alarm over what many see as a replay of the country’s political past. Citizens and commentators alike warn that under William Ruto’s administration, tactics once associated with earlier regimes are resurfacing, stirring fears of diminished democratic space. The sense of déjà vu extends beyond rhetoric — it’s the very structures of power, the role of dissent, and the direction of youth employment that seem stuck in a lingering loop.
Observers point to the striking resemblance between President Ruto’s government and the era of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) that dominated Kenyan politics for decades. According to columnists, methods like coercive financial levies, stifling of opposition voices and deliberate curbs on civil activism, once hallmarks of the one-party state, now appear to be creeping back into the public sphere. One commentator draws parallels between the criminalisation of dissent and forced contributions under the old regime, suggesting the current environment is less of a break from the past than a new chapter in a familiar story.
The impact of this resurgence is being felt across several fronts. Young people entering the job market say they are getting the same promises of opportunity while seeing little structural change. Civil society organisations report growing constraints on their operations and worry that the mechanisms meant to safeguard open discourse are being weakened. Politically, the sentiment among some voters is one of fatigue: after decades of change-talk, the shape of Kenya’s leadership and the culture of governance looks remarkably familiar.
Looking ahead, the question now is whether this moment will galvanise meaningful reform or simply reinforce the pattern of repetition. For President Ruto’s administration, the option remains to actively choose a different path — one that involves genuine restructuring, transparency and space for dissent. For civil society and the youth, the challenge is to turn frustration into organised pressure that demands substantive change. Whether Kenya steps into a fresh chapter or remains caught in a time-worn circle will depend on decisions made in the months ahead.