The Kenyan political landscape has turned into a war zone of personal attacks, insults and unfiltered verbal abuse.
The supremacy battles between opposition leaders and the government have worsened into a public mudslinging contest that has left many Kenyans questioning the dignity of their leaders. The title “honourable” feels unworthy for many of these politicians.
Political rallies have become stages for competition — not over ideas or policies, but over who can unleash the most creative and insulting remarks. Leaders are now tarnishing each other’s reputations in ways that cross lines of decency and maturity.
Kipkelion West MP Hillary Kosgei, for instance, recently launched a stinging attack saying, “Huyu mutu ni mgonjwa,” Referring to the former Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua. “wapeleke yeye Madhare aangaliwe kichwa kama bado ni timamu,” — “This person is sick, take him to Mathare (mental hospital) to have his head checked if he’s still sane.”
Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot wasn’t any kinder, still on Gachagua, stating, “Ile maneno anaongea, kichwa yake iko sawa kweli? Ni wazimu, si wazimu, ile ni wazimu, ile imebakia ni nguo safi peke ake bado anavaa,” — “The things he says, is his head okay? That’s madness, not just madness, only thing left is that he still wears clean clothes.
Politicians are even publicly questioning the mental capacity of their rivals. Unfortunately, this trend is not one-sided. The opposition is also firing back with equal venom.
Rigathi Gachagua fired back at his critics, directing his attack on President Ruto and Deputy President, Kindiki saying, “Anatuma*(Ruto) mtu ya soprano(Kindiki) , pelekea watu Ksh. 500 wakule pombe maharagwe,” — “He sends some soprano-voiced guy to give people Ksh.500 to buy beer and beans.”
Former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi declared, “William Ruto ameanza kupora, zingine anapatia ile mtu (Kindiki) anaongea, yeeyeee,” — “William Ruto has started looting again, and he gives the loot the guy who talks ‘yeeyeee’.”
DP, Kindiki responded mockingly, “Before you start introducing me to ho, you look like you don’t have a base. Nani, nani akose base?”
Even physical appearances have become ammunition. Minority Leader Junet Mohammed openly mocked DCP party leader, “Gachagua ndio inakuwa raisi wa Kenya? We angalia sura ya Gachagua vile inakaa, ata Landrover ya zamani afadhali,” — “Gachagua is becoming the president of Kenya? Just look at his face, even an old Land Rover looks better.”
Gachagua not taking it lightly, he fired back, “Advisors ya Kasongo wawili, moja ni ya Standard 4, ingine ni Standard 6. Si lazima tumepata hasara,” — “Kasongo has two advisors, one dropped out in Standard 4, the other in Standard 6. No wonder we’ve incurred losses.”
These shameful exchanges are sadly not new. The political atmosphere in Kenya has been rising since the NASA vs Jubilee era, and intensified further during the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza campaigns. However, what’s new is the intensity and shamelessness of the insults.
To many Kenyans, this trend signals the slow erosion of good leadership. Instead of engaging in issue-based politics and providing solutions to national problems, leaders have chosen the low road. The political scene has become a theatre of toxicity — a circus of egos, insults, and ignorance. And if the current trajectory continues, the future of respectful, visionary leadership in Kenya remains bleak.
