Legacy politicians romanticise struggle while feasting on stolen wealth – Willis Otieno

David Nthua 10th October, 2025 08:21 AM

Willis Otieno, an Advocate makes the keynote during the launch of a report titled “Ready or Not” at a city hotel on May 16th 2017. The launch was attended be activists and advocacy members from various Non-Governmental Organisations, the report outlined the country’s preparedness in the upcoming general elections to be held in early August. Picture by Francis Nderitu

Constitution lawyer and good governance advocate Willis Otieno has come out to lash out at leaders who belong to legacy politics and not issue-based.

Through his X handle on Friday, October 10, 2025, Otieno, without mentioning names, regretted that legacy politicians have caused Kenya to stagnate.

Also watch: Willis Otieno claims Kenya Kwanza government is broke, punishing Kenyans

In his message, Otieno wrote, “Legacy politicians are the architects of Kenya’s stagnation. They are uniting not out of vision but out of fear because their existence is threatened.

“They romanticise struggle while feasting on stolen wealth. They chant democracy while silencing dissent. They sell hope they’ve never delivered.

“They recycle themselves like bad debt with no fresh ideas, just old faces hiding behind new slogans. They fear new leadership because it threatens the comfort of their impunity.”

Also watch: Willis Otieno slams govt for comparing Kenya with Singapore while doing the opposite

Otieno’s remarks come at a time when Kenyans continue to express frustration over the country’s direction.

Many feel that the political class, regardless of party or affiliation, has failed to address key issues affecting ordinary citizens.

Concern about the political class

The lawyer’s criticism echoes a growing sentiment that politics in Kenya is more about survival and less about service.

Kenya continues to grapple with a skyrocketing cost of living, rampant corruption, and a ballooning public debt.

Lawyer Willis Otieno gestures during a past public function. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/Otienowill

Citizens are increasingly losing confidence in both the ruling administration and the opposition, as no clear solutions have been presented to tackle the country’s worsening challenges.

As frustration grows among Kenyans, Otieno’s remarks highlight a truth that many are now beginning to confront: that the political elite, old or new, must be held accountable for the state of the nation.