Tone down the rising political temperature in the Country.

That the country has been thrown into campaign mode is not in doubt. Intense political rhetoric has become the order of the day. Indeed, someone visiting the country for the first time will be forgiven to think that general elections are few days away. 

What with the President back with his characteristic whistle stop tours, the beehive of activity witnessed in former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County and the current talk of political alliances? It is crystal clear that the 2027 election campaigns have begun in earnest.

Key political figures are engaging in early political manouevres and coalition talks aimed at giving them an edge over their competitors in the run up to the general elections. Churches, on the other hand, have turned into political arenas with politicians using the pulpit to advance their agendas.

With over two years to 2027, one wonders why the country has been thrown into a campaign mode. It is apparent that politicians, including those entrusted with key leadership positions, have consigned the plight of Kenyans to the back-burner while choosing to focus on their selfish political interests.

What's even more worrying is that ethnic and regional mobilisation that is at the heart of the raging political climate. Politicians are running helter-skelter to rally their tribal backyards in a bid to ring-fence their votes and shore up their bargaining power in the prospective political formations in the run upto 2027 poll.

Last week, during the launch of the Eugene Wamalwa-led Democratic Alliance Party-Kenya headquarters, opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua joined hands and vowed form an alliance that will make President William Ruto a one-term president. 

It was quite unfortunate that during the event, calls were made for leaders to mobilise their respective ethnic groups into one political formation.

The recent few weeks have seen Ruto and Gachagua embroiled in a war of words that continues to raise political temperature in Mount Kenya. Since his impeachment, Gachagua has stepped up his efforts to ride on the growing discontent with Kenya Kwanza regime in Mount Kenya to consolidate his support in the vote-rich region. 

On the other hand, it is not lost on political observers that Dr Ruto is not resting on his laurels. He has accused Gachagua of incompetence, corruption and ethnic bigotry. It is unfortunate that the President is at the forefront of these premature campaigns that are threatening to balkanise the country ahead of the 2027 elections. 

Ruto has been quick to deny engaging in early campaigns yet his rhetoric and that of his allies in these so-called development tours in Western and Nyanza region have betrayed his intentions.

These recent political activities continue to divide the country into political factions and ethnic alliances. This is not good for the country. It was hoped that this year would be different and that leaders would dedicate their time, energies and resources to serving the people. But it is just be another year of endless politics.

Yet Kenya is facing a myriad challenges that require urgent attention in the health and education sectors among others. It is sad that we are being treated to endless politicking devoid of solutions to these challenges. No substantive development can be realised in this chaotic environment.

Mr Nandiemo is a high school teacher