Michael Ndonye

Kenya, Nakuru

Opinion Columnist at The Standard (Kenya)

🇰🇪T𝖍𝖊 𝕻𝖔𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖑 𝕮𝖍𝖊𝖘𝖘𝖇𝖔𝖆𝖗𝖉🇰🇪 |Cogito, ergo sum Jenzi|🌹🌻

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Articles

There's no Head of State who is without 'Farouk' and 'Itumbi'

4 weeks ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

Recently, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua decried the influence and power that Farouk Kibet and Dennis Itumbi hold in President William Ruto’s administration. Against the chagrin of many Kenyans, let us understand that no president can rely solely on ministers or, in Kenya’s case, cabinet secretaries for advice on matters involving executive or discretionary powers.
Ruto's warm reception evidence of political maturity in Mt Kenya

1 month ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

The reception that President Ruto has received in the Mount Kenya region this week has sparked widespread interest. Some Kenyans, driven by ill will, had hoped for hostility, fueled by narratives suggesting that the President had 'punished' the region by allegedly orchestrating Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s removal from office through Parliament. These sentiments were also amplified by the political campaigns that Gachagua has been conducting in the region.
Ruto will be disappointed if he is banking on Raila for support

2 months ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

A Kikuyu musician, the late Makibi James, advised the Kikuyu community in his song titled ‘Riua ni Twotete’ (loosely translated ‘the sun has burnt us’) to listen to his advice in the song or else, “they should wait for the hyenas that would eat them”. Should we say the same to President William Ruto? Here is the shocker!There is a high possibility of Raila Odinga ditching Ruto in 2027 for two reasons. First, as long as Raila is breathing, he will always be on the ballot.
Ruto will be disappointed if he is banking on Raila for support

2 months ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

A Kikuyu musician, the late Makibi James, advised the Kikuyu community in his song titled ‘Riua ni Twotete’ (loosely translated ‘the sun has burnt us’) to listen to his advice in the song or else, “they should wait for the hyenas that would eat them”. Should we say the same to President William Ruto? Here is the shocker!There is a high possibility of Raila Odinga ditching Ruto in 2027 for two reasons. First, as long as Raila is breathing, he will always be on the ballot.
Kenya needs Raila more than Africa does

2 months ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

Today’s most significant question is what Raila Odinga’s loss as AU chair portends for Kenyan politics. President Ruto told African leaders and the world that Raila’s loss was a “missed opportunity for Africa.” But how will this shape the political landscape moving forward? If I were an African president voting for the African Union Commission (EUC) chairperson in Addis Ababa on 15 February 2025, I would not have voted for Raila Odinga too.
Kenya needs Raila more than Africa does

2 months ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

Today’s most significant question is what Raila Odinga’s loss as AU chair portends for Kenyan politics. President Ruto told African leaders and the world that Raila’s loss was a “missed opportunity for Africa.” But how will this shape the political landscape moving forward? If I were an African president voting for the African Union Commission (EUC) chairperson in Addis Ababa on 15 February 2025, I would not have voted for Raila Odinga too.
Do everything possible to turn struggling universities around

Jan 16, 2025 | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

When Nelson Mandela said, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, the mantra in Kenya was that “education is the key to success.” While these statements remain true, politics has rendered education, especially university education, a dispensable affair. With the government focusing more on political survival, where is our higher education headed? How can the government deliver amidst political instability and divisions?
It would be unwise for State to ignore Catholic bishops' counsel

Nov 21, 2024 | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

Since President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government are “born again” and have demonstrated their commitment to the word of God on several occasions, there is a biblical anecdote they need to revisit for some lessons. Like many other Kenyans, all we ask is that the government take correction from the Church - the voice of the people. History records that between 874 BC and 853 BC, there arose a king in Israel whose story can be found in 1 Kings 22:1-28 and 2 Chronicles 18.
Gachagua's impeachment and Kenya's declining democracy

Nov 6, 2024 | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

Rigathi Gachagua is out of the way and we have a new Deputy President, Prof Kithure Kindiki. However, when all is said and done, the special motion which saw Mr Gachagua’s successful impeachment and removal from office, sponsored by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse should not be archived as record document. The motion does not qualify as a reference for impeaching the President or his deputy.
Gachagua's tribulations can be traced back to the Constitution

Oct 17, 2024 | standardmedia.co.ke | Michael Ndonye

Politically speaking, a deputy president should not be seen acting as ‘president in waiting’ or ‘an alternative president’. They must be presidential material but ‘paying all tribute’ to the head of state. The first DP, Dr William Ruto, exposed some weaknesses in the presidency as encapsulated in our Constitution. Being over ambitious and wanting to be President, he had a chance to define, to other DPs, the "how" to deputise.