President Ruto's fragile reign battered by protests, mistrust

President William Ruto may have won the hearts of many voters in the 2022 Presidential election, who hoped he would fulfill his promise of transforming their lives.

However, three years later, Ruto is facing relentless criticism, which many consider unmatched in the country’s political history.

Recently, the president seemed to acknowledge that such public outrage has never been directed at his predecessors.

Speaking to a crowd in Milimani, Nairobi, he asked, “All the chaos, why wasn't it directed at former presidents—Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta? Why the contempt and arrogance?”

Political analysts argue that the country is confronted with a complex situation that requires the sobriety of leaders across the social spectrum to find solutions.

Prof Gitile Naituli describes the wave of public anger toward Ruto as “unprecedented.”

He notes, “Kenyans are united across ethnic, religious, and class divisions against the president. This is unprecedented.”

The protests that began last year in response to what the public viewed as a punitive Finance Bill 2024 escalated this June and again this month.

These protests have claimed more than 100 lives, caused billions in damages, and led to widespread looting of businesses.

Naituli, who specializes in leadership and management, argues that the youth protests over worsening economic hardships have become intertwined in a complex web of intense political contestation driven by ethnicity and regional interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Many Kenyans who feel aggrieved by Ruto’s leadership style want him removed from office.

Chants of “Ruto Must Go” and “Wantam” (one term) have dominated public events and gatherings, clearly indicating that the masses have lost hope in his leadership.

The toxic political environment following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has created a fertile ground for the infiltration of peaceful demonstrations led by the youth to voice their grievances, influenced by external forces.

Analysts have noted signs of the UDA power struggles and intrigues between President Ruto and Gachagua in the evolving political crisis.

Analysts have urged the government to engage with the youth and reduce political tensions, as continued street demonstrations met with harsh police responses risk escalating into large-scale conflicts.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga , now a close ally of the president, has suggested an urgent national dialogue to address the socio-political a s economic crisis.

He urged Kenyans to choose unity over unrest, saying, “Do we embrace chaos, or a coming together of minds and a country? As a living architect of the events leading to Saba Saba, I choose a coming together of minds and a country in the interests of the country.”

However, political pundits attribute the unrest to successive governments that have failed to adequately address longstanding grievances from the populace, which now threaten to tear the country apart.

They further accuse the government of playing ethnic cards and diverting attention from crucial issues raised by citizens.

Both government and opposition leaders have retreated into their ethnic enclaves, fueling ethnic tensions among different communities.

The recent surge of anger and protests against the government is seen as a direct result of the leadership's failure to adequately address the concerns raised during the Gen-Z uprising last June.

Former ODM nominated senator Harold Kipchumba stated that while the youth possess genuine grievances, the government has not effectively addressed these issues or shown a caring attitude.

He noted that the Gen-Z uprising was triggered by the enactment of the Finance Bill 2014, which included repressive taxation measures.

Kipchumba emphasized that the youth perceived the Finance Bill as a betrayal by President William Ruto, who had pledged during his campaign to lower the cost of living and gain their support.

“The Finance Bill was just a catalyst; the socio-economic issues have long plagued the country. The Kenya Kwanza administration raised the hopes of the youth for a brighter future, only to appear to betray them,” he added.

He criticized the President for not fulfilling his promises to restructure the taxation system, reduce government waste, combat corruption, formulate youth-friendly policies, and enhance economic growth.

“Kenyans are frustrated as our education and health systems are nearly dysfunctional, and economic hardships continue to mount, affecting our social lives. That is why vulnerable youth are voicing their concerns,” Kipchumba stated.

Political analysts argue that the Kenya Kwanza administration has not recognized the significant impact of the youth's increased use of social media to voice their grievances and organize protests, which has fundamentally changed the political landscape.

Kipchumba supported Raila's call for dialogue and a united purpose among the country’s leaders to find solutions to the challenges at hand and restore hope and trust in governance institutions.

He noted that the nation is on edge, especially as key political players engage in heated politics while preparing for the 2027 general election.

As various political factions jockey for power, numerous political operatives are stoking ethnic hatred at the grassroots level.

“The highly charged political meetings and threatening language between opposing factions have detrimental effects on ordinary citizens. We must temper our political rhetoric and embrace dialogue to resolve our issues,” Kipchumba added.

He warned that the growing youth population poses a threat to the country’s political stability unless action is taken to quell their anger and restore confidence in the government and leadership.

The failure of the Kenya Kwanza administration to fulfill its campaign promises has led to a sense of despair among the youth, shattering their hopes for a better future, argued Kipchumba.

Other political analysts also point out that the communication gap between the government and the restless youth, who have been organizing through social media, presents a potential threat to stability.

They argue that while many of the country’s challenges are not new, it is crucial for the government to find innovative ways to communicate with the youth about its plans and achievements.

Andrew Nyabuto, a political commentator, stated that the increased use of social media by the youth provides them with a platform to regularly evaluate government performance.

“Social media communication allows the youth to receive timely information on government actions and to provide immediate feedback, often catching government officials off guard,” Nyabuto commented.

Nyabuto emphasized that the government should develop a comprehensive communication strategy to effectively engage the youth and alleviate their anger and resentment.

He stated, “With high unemployment rates among the youth, the government must rebrand itself and project a positive image and a caring attitude. This will help effectively communicate its agenda to the younger generation.”

“Perception is everything. When young people believe that the government is insensitive to their plight, they are likely to respond with protests, as we have seen in recent times,” Nyabuto added. 

He also remarked that the government seems to have defaulted on its commitment to address the issues raised by the Gen Z uprising in June last year.

When seeking the presidency, Ruto fashioned himself as an ordinary man, having a humble childhood and being born in poverty.

This image appealed to the ordinary Kenyans, whom they could relate to.

However, in recent years, he has emerged as Kenya's most hated president.

That image of him is a huge contrast in the Kenyan political circle, which is often shaped by ethnic allegiance and class divisions, says Njenga Mungai, a veteran politician who served as a Member of Parliament for the larger Molo constituency in the t990s.

According to Mungai, when Ruto campaigned for the presidency, he appeared to transcend the ethnic politics barriers

However, recently, social media has witnessed the trending phrase" we are all Kikuyu. " Ruto rejected the attempt to reintroduce ethnic divisions.

Mungai says the country cannot afford to slide back into ethnic divisions.

Mungai opined, " The opposition to the president is not ethnically driven but is happening across diverse communities in urban and rural areas."

He emphasized that the government’s failure to engage in dialogue with disgruntled groups contributes to the country's challenges and threatens the country’s stability.

“While many of the challenges facing the country have been longstanding, the current administration has adopted a careless and indifferent attitude towards its citizens. This increases the likelihood of the country descending into a crisis. Mungai added.

The chairperson of the Jubilee Party’s Council of Elders criticized leaders for retreating into their ethnic enclaves when confronted by citizens demanding accountability and transparency in state affairs.

“Our social fabric has interwoven us into a broader network of citizens who share schools, healthcare facilities, churches, colleges, and universities. It is, therefore, absurd for leaders to incite ethnic sentiments when citizens voice complaints about dysfunctional systems, rising unemployment, insecurity, and poor business environments,” Mr. Mungai stated.

He called on the president and opposition leaders to demonstrate statesmanship and patriotism by leading other leaders in dialogue to seek solutions to some citizens' grievances.

The Jubilee Party leader said the country could not move forward when sections of citizens were looking down upon other citizens.