Albert Einstein once said that Politics is more difficult than physics. It is hard to find a counter argument especially in the Kenyan political arena where leaders and their ability to stay true to their words has proven elusive.
However, once in a while, events occur seemingly by a cruel twist of fate, forcing several leaders to bow their heads in shame as their own words are used to crucify them.
On Monday, August 17, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro sent out a short statement implying that Kenya was currently being ruled through dictatorship, a system which he felt was oppressive to liberal thinkers.
"If he became President in 2002, Kenya would be worse than Somalia. The kind of petty dictatorship we have in this country is both nauseating & despicable. Why can't nobilities, Princes & Dynasties tolerate people with divergent opinions! We are African and Africa is our Business," he tweeted.
However, Kenyans rarely forget and neither does the internet as he was soon blasted with screenshots taken from a statement he posted on October 24, 2017.
At the time, the vocal Jubilee legislator was actually calling for suspension of the constitution in addition to a dictatorship.
To cap it off, one Kenyan went on to point out that the legislator had actually penned an article for the Daily Nation on August 25, 2017, titled "Let us rethink democracy as it is not serving us well".
"What our country needs is a benevolent dictator with a clear mission of making Kenya great. He should appoint judges, order hanging of the corrupt and oversee a clean-up of our systems," his article reads in part.
However, the Kiharu MP is not on his own. Over the years, several leaders have been called out for acting or issuing statements that contravened their own beliefs and views.
Ledama ole Kina
Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina was on the same day forced to eat humble pie as exiled lawyer Miguna Miguna reminded him of his previous utterances regarding the ruling government.
Senator Ledama sent out a tweet likening President Uhuru Kenyatta's government to the late Daniel arap Moi's regime, "The reformers have turned errand boy of dictators," he stated.
Miguna's response was swift, Tyranny never left. "When I told you that Kenyatta and Raila were united in their desperation to make Kenya a slave colony, you abused me and stated that I deserved to be tortured and exiled. Apologize and join the struggle," his tweet reads in part.
The Teargas Incident
When police officers teargassed Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria on January 10, his impassioned protests regarding police brutality was not lost on Kenyans from across the political divide.
He was duly reminded of his stance a few years earlier when the likes of Senator James Orengo and ODM Party leader Raila Odinga were the ones on the receiving end of the choking fumes.
The legislator was reminded that on June 4, 2016, he stated, "Our taxpayers have given you teargas water dispensers and bullets. These are not decorations".
Police Brutality Part 2
On August 17, Dennis Itumbi sent a tweet rightfully condemning the police for arresting 3 Senators - Cleophas Malala (Kakamega), Christopher Langat (Bomet) and Steve Lelegwe (Samburu).
"Senator Poghisio called Senator Dr Langat last night and told him, "Just go outside Nairobi and you will be okay, DCI will even escort you, blame quarantine for not voting" Audio evidence available. Another senior person repeated the same on phone," he stated.
However, despite his noble intentions, Kenyans still took a dig at him, citing his remarks several years ago when he was lauding the police for arresting ODM party members at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where they had thronged to welcome back party leader Raila Odinga.
However, despite the double standards, renowned economist David Ndii weighed in on the matter and posed a thought-provoking statement, "Who is to be condemned, those who have seen the light, or those who have retreated into the darkness?" he quipped.
