Opposition should offer solutions to challenges
A member of the Kenya Red Cross inspects a manhole as he searches for bodies trapped in the wreckage of vehicles destroyed following heavy rainfall in the Grogan area, popular for automotive workshops and secondhand spare parts in downtown Nairobi, Kenya, March 7, 2026.
Since 2024, when the Gen Z uprising shook the foundations of the UDA government, Kenya has moved from one crisis to another. Governance failures, problems in the health and education sectors, and increased corruption and misuse of public finances have deepened national anxiety.
The country now faces yet another challenge as heavy rains cause floods that have destroyed property and claimed lives across the country. These disasters also expose long-standing weaknesses in infrastructure planning and maintenance.
Both the national and county governments appear overwhelmed as Kenyans continue to suffer.
The opposition, meanwhile, has seized the moment, trading accusations with the government and presenting the situation as evidence of a failed system that needs urgent replacement.
In competitive politics this is normal. The opposition exists to provide checks and balances. However, it would be constructive if opposition leaders also offered practical suggestions to improve governance, something that happens in mature democracies.
The Kenyan opposition should recognise that providing advice to the government does not weaken its political position. On the contrary, such engagement could strengthen its credibility by demonstrating genuine concern for the welfare of citizens.
Unfortunately, in Kenya any form of cooperation between the government and the opposition is often interpreted as being political “bought”.
This happened when the late Raila Odinga cooperated with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto. The current opposition can move beyond this pattern.
Through Parliament and county assemblies where it has representation, it can propose workable policies to address the country’s pressing problems.
The government must also avoid dismissing proposals simply because they originate from political rivals. In a democracy, constructive advice should be welcomed rather than treated as a sign of weakness.
Endless political confrontation will not solve the country’s challenges.
Both government and opposition must focus on national interests, recognising that in the end it is Kenyans who stand to gain from responsible leadership.
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David M. Kigo, Nairobi
