On the eve of elections in 2022, there was an air of uncertainty as to whom would be the next president in Kenya. On the right side, there was William Ruto, a decade long Deputy President of the Republic, who had spent the better part of his second term on the streets, campaigning for the 2022 general election. On the left, was Mr. Odinga, the chosen candidate by the then incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta, in the backdrop of a handshake truce and a fall out with his second in command.
While it is safe to say that it was a toe to toe race between Kenya’s most astute politicians, there was an aura of mystique surrounding the idea of a William Ruto’s presidency. At the height of the uncertainty, one thing was granted : Ruto was the quintessential man of the people. A leader chosen and annointed by God, just like in the times of Moses and David. He came to save God’s children from the jaws of poverty. He presented a candidate so perfect, that opposing him was almost as good as opposing God’s will.
“We have seen it all with an alcoholic President,” murmurs did round. “We want a teetotaler, a man capable of sober reasoning,” more murmurs broke boundaries. “We want a huslter, a beacon of hope and a proof that our children can rise to the top regardless of their financial backgrounds,” parents whispered to each other. “Yes. He is a God fearing leader and such is what our country needs. He will provide wise leadership, guided by God,” so said the Christians of Kenya, but to everyone’s dismay, he was so good that for the first time, in the history of religion, sworn atheists agreed with believers: “He is the one !”, and so, Atheists Society of Kenya also joined the rest in supporting Mr. Ruto.
Regardless of warnings from some political analysts with eyes for details, his rhetoric was so euphoric, that for the first time, in their history, the Kikuyu community abandoned their own ethnic leader in his favor, and thank God the miracle worker, a boy from a humble family in Sugoi, who once walked barefooted to school was sworn in as president on the 13th of September 2023, after ‘ a wild goose chase of a court case seeking to overturn his election ended up in hot air. It was so exciting, that his supporters couldn’t help but weep in joy: “A new dawn is here,” it could be read on their animated faces.
As usual, the ritualistic first 100 days in office disappeared, but signs of fulfilling his promises remained to be seen. He promised the Hustler fund, a grant for Small and Medium Enterprises, he delivered an exploitative version of the Fuliza. He promised free internet but added taxes on basic telecommunications services. He promised free, independent and just police service but then had to admit that at least 20 peaceful protesters died , 41 according to human rights organisations. He promised heaven on earth, delivered earth under earth and that angered the populace so quick.
Put simply, a government built on a populist rhetoric is built on quicksand and when the foundations start to sink, they can only go lower.
From the beginning of the protests, the message was clear: reject the finance bill 2024, which he dropped in the end.However, a level of patriotism grew with the demonstrations and the demands mutated, culminating into calls for the dismissal of the cabinet and Mr. Ruto’s resignation. This was exercebated by his abrasive remarks during a round table conversation with legacy media at the State House, where he showed little to no empathy to the parent of a 12 year old boy shot and murdered by the police. This came in the backdrop of an uproar caused by his shortlived press address at the State House, where he called protesters ‘dangerous criminals’ who committed treasonous acts on June the 25th.
However, last week on Friday, Kenyans were shocked to learn that out of his first 11 members of the new cabinet, six are from the previous cabinet, which he had indirectly admitted was incompetent through it’s dismissal. This further fuelled more anger, and provided a justification for more protests by Kenyan youths, who now want to occupy Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Ruto on the other hand has vowed to take drastic measures against anyone organising the demonstrations, blaming American organizations for funding chaos in Kenya. While it remains to be seen whether the protests will be ending sooner rather than later, the big question in every Kenyan’s mind is : DOES HE REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE WANT?
