Analysis of William Ruto's politics

Analysis of William Ruto's politics On February 27, 2025, it will be two years, five months and 15 days since William Ruto became the fifth president of Kenya. Before William Ruto, who has been president of Kenya since September 13, 2022, the following five people ruled the country: Before Ruto were: - Jomo Kenyatta (1964-1978) - He was the first president of Kenya after independence from Britain in 1963. - Daniel arap Moi (1978-2002) - He took office after Kenyatta's death and ruled for 24 years. - Mwai Kibaki (2002-2013) - He ended Moi's long rule and led the country through a period of economic recovery. - Uhuru Kenyatta (2013-2022) - Jomo Kenyatta's son was the fourth president of Kenya. - and now William Ruto (since 2022) - The current president of Kenya. These are the five presidents who ruled Kenya before Ruto. In Kenya's history, there have been presidents who have responded to demonstrations and political resistance with harsh measures.  During his 24-year rule, Daniel arap Moi was known for his authoritarian governance. He often violently suppressed political opposition and demonstrations. His government used security forces to suppress protests and there were numerous reports of human rights abuses. Mwai Kibaki's time in office was marked by political tensions, especially after the controversial 2007 elections. The violent riots after the election resulted in over 1,000 deaths and showed how security forces sometimes brutally cracked down on protesters. During Uhuru Kenyatta's presidency, there were repeated violent clashes between security forces and protesters, especially during the 2017 elections. Police were accused of using excessive force against protesters. Although William Ruto has promised to be a "president for all" (no one knows who "all" is, but it is likely to mean those with several million in their bank accounts), there have been reports of violent repression of demonstrations, especially protests against the high cost of living and tax increases. The presidents mentioned have responded to protests to varying degrees, with security forces sometimes using excessive force. Ruto was sworn in on September 13, 2022, less than halfway through his five-year term, but his government has already seen significant events. The latest development is Kenya's involvement in the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Kenya recently hosted RSF, which the Sudanese army describes as a “militia group.” The political relationship between Kenya and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan is complex and shaped by regional geopolitical interests. Kenya has been actively involved in regional efforts to resolve the conflict in Sudan, especially after fighting broke out between the Sudanese Army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023. Kenya's President William Ruto has positioned himself as a mediator and has worked closely with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional organization in East Africa. Kenya has shown a keen interest in stability in Sudan as the conflict can have implications for the entire region, including security and trade. The RSF, a paramilitary group, plays a central role in the Sudanese conflict, and Kenya has sought to take a balanced position to promote a peaceful solution. There have been reports of tensions between Kenya and the Sudanese interim government as the latter accused Kenya of working too closely with the RSF. This led to Sudan rejecting Kenya as a mediator in the conflict in August 2023. However, Kenya has stressed that it is not taking sides and is committed to peace and stability in the region. Kenya is a major player in the region and hosts thousands of Sudanese refugees who fled the conflict. Instability in Sudan is also affecting Kenya's economy, particularly trade and transport routes. In summary, Kenya is trying to play a mediating role in the Sudanese conflict while protecting its own regional security and economic interests. Relations with the RSF are part of a larger diplomatic strategy aimed at peace and stability in the region. RSF has since signed a charter in Kenya's capital Nairobi, paving the way for the formation of a parallel government in Sudan. Kenya had fallen out of favor in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Congolese government claimed that Nairobi was friendly to the armed group M23. It is not that simple. Kenya had sent 998 soldiers to protect the Gina airfield. DRC President Tshisekedi had planned something else for these soldiers, to intervene directly in the war and defeat M23. They did not do that, so Tshisekedi sent them home. M23 is fighting Congolese troops in the east of the DRC. The DRC's strained relations with Kenya arose after M23 and other allied groups met in Nairobi in December 2023 and formed an alliance. There have been reports of meetings between representatives of the M23 rebel group and various actors in Nairobi. Nairobi has historically served as a neutral venue for peace talks and negotiations between Congolese groups, including the M23, and the DRC government. The East Africa region, including Kenya, has an interest in stabilizing the DRC as the conflict has cross-border implications, including refugee flows and security threats Kenya is an active member of the East African Community (EAC), which supports peace efforts in the DRC. In 2022 and 2023, talks between the M23 and the Congolese government took place in Nairobi under the auspices of the EAC, with the aim of reaching a ceasefire and political solution. In 2023, there were reports of renewed meetings in Nairobi, addressing the implementation of previous agreements and the demobilization of M23 fighters. However, there have also been criticisms as the M23 remains active and peace efforts have had limited success so far. In a diplomatic spat, Uganda's opposition recently blamed Kenya for the kidnapping of veteran opposition politician Kizza Besigye (is a well-known Ugandan doctor, politician and former military officer. Born on April 22, 1956 in Rukungiri, Uganda, he was president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and contested against President Yoweri Museveni in the 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 presidential elections. Besigye was once Museveni's personal physician during the Bush War but later became a fierce critic) in Nairobi in November 2024 and taken to Uganda where he was charged in a military court for alleged possession of weapons. President Ruto's government's decision to send police officers to Haiti - a Caribbean country located over 12,000 kilometers from Kenya - also did not go down well with many Kenyans who lament the low police-to-population ratio. The Haiti mission, aimed at curbing gang violence, was approved by the UN Security Council in October 2023. So far, Kenya has sent more than 600 police officers to Haiti. Domestically, the biggest challenge to Ruto's presidency came in the period June-July 2024, when Kenyans rejected that year's financial bill.In June and July 2024, massive protests rocked Kenya, a country often considered one of East Africa's most stable democracies. The demonstrations, which initially began peacefully, quickly escalated into violent clashes between protesters and security forces. The end result was dozens of deaths (the exact number of deaths cannot really be ascertained; William Ruto puts it at 30, the US embassy says 90, the highest number was given as 300), hundreds of injuries, and a nation deeply divided. The events of these weeks shed light on the social, political, and economic tensions simmering beneath the surface, as well as the state's brutal response to civil disobedience. The cause of these protests was sparked by a number of factors that had been building up for years. The immediate trigger was the announcement by the government under President William Ruto that it would increase taxes on basic goods such as fuel and food. This decision was made by a population already suffering from high living costs, unemployment and economic inequality. Many Kenyans felt abandoned by the government, which they perceived as corrupt and out of touch. Not only do they feel this way, they are being abandoned.  Added to this was frustration with the government's lack of accountability. Despite repeated promises to fight corruption and improve living conditions, many citizens saw no tangible change. The youth, who make up a large part of the population, felt particularly marginalized. Many young people who could not find work despite being well educated saw the protests as an opportunity to express their anger and despair. The protests began in Nairobi but quickly spread to other cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru. Initially, the demonstrations were largely peaceful. People called on the government to reverse the tax increases and take measures to improve the economic situation. But when the government failed to respond to the demands, tensions rose. The escalation began when security forces used tear gas, water cannons and live ammunition against the demonstrators. Reports of excessive violence and arbitrary arrests increased. In Nairobi, roadblocks were set up, shops were looted and government buildings were attacked. The government responded with a curfew and the stationing of military personnel in the affected areas, which further aggravated the situation. The toll of the protests was devastating. According to human rights organizations, at least 50 people (as already mentioned, no one knows exactly how many) were killed, including innocent civilians and children. Hundreds were injured, many of them by firearms. The images of blood-soaked demonstrators and grieving families went around the world and sparked international outrage. The government justified its actions by citing the need to maintain law and order. However, many observers criticized the excessive use of force as disproportionate and a violation of human rights. The United Nations and several Western governments called on Kenya to launch an independent investigation into the incidents and hold those responsible to account. The media and civil society played a crucial role in documenting the events. Despite attempts at intimidation by the government, journalists and activists courageously reported on what was happening. Social media became an important platform for sharing information and drawing international attention to the crisis. At the same time, there were also reports of censorship and restrictions on press freedom. Several journalists were arrested and some media houses received orders to reduce their reporting. These measures were widely criticized as an attempt by the government to suppress the truth. The protests in Kenya sparked global concern. The African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) called for dialogue and de-escalation. The European Union and the United States condemned the violence and called on the Kenyan government to respect the rights of the protesters. At the same time, there were fears that the instability in Kenya could have repercussions for the entire East Africa region, which is already facing numerous conflicts and economic challenges.The protests in June and July 2024 were a wake-up call for Kenya. They showed that the country's social and economic problems can no longer be ignored. The government's violent response has further shaken the population's confidence and deepened the divide between the government and citizens. And then there were and are kidnappings in Kenya, these are politically motivated. Kidnappings have become a worrying security problem in Kenya, threatening both national stability and the country's international image. In recent years, there has been an increase in kidnapping cases perpetrated by criminal gangs, terrorist groups and even state actors. This development raises questions about the underlying causes, the impact on society and the possible solutions.   In some cases, activists, journalists and government critics have been kidnapped, often under suspicion that state or pro-government actors are behind them. These kidnappings are aimed at suppressing political opposition and silencing critical voices. Political tensions and power struggles have led to an increase in violence and crime in the past. In some cases, kidnappings are used as a means to intimidate or eliminate political opponents. To be a little more specific, there have been a significant number of kidnappings in Kenya recently. According to recent reports, at least 82 people have been kidnapped since June 2024, with many still missing. In terms of deaths, there have been reports of police brutality during protests, with 24 confirmed deaths and over 361 injured. However, concrete numbers directly linking kidnappings to deaths are not clearly documented in the available data. The kidnappings are often linked to government critics and have raised concerns about national security and human rights. To date, no one has been identified. Rumours are that there is a secret pro-government organisation that carries out these kidnappings.  To prevent further escalation, the government must urgently take steps to reduce economic inequalities and fight corruption, while also seeking dialogue with civil society and respecting the rights of protesters. This is the only way Kenya can find its way back to stability and peace. President Ruto, who had previously vowed not to include the opposition in government, surprised many when he appointed senior opposition members to his cabinet after a brief cabinet dissolution. Ruto is only concerned with one thing, he needs to be self-sustaining after youth-led protests brought his rule to the brink. The president, however, said he is forming a “broad-based government” by appointing members of opposition leader Raila Odinga’s party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). And that, in turn, shows that anything is possible in Kenya, it just takes money. Rails Odinga, whose relationship with Ruto is friendly, commands a large political support base. Yet some Kenyans, not some, it is many who have taken part in opinion polls, say that President Ruto’s popularity has waned, waned is good, they chant “Kufa dereva” (death to the driver), that is the mood among Kenyan after he introduced more taxes after taking office, including a housing tax, and increased income tax for some salary brackets as well as increased deductions for health and pension funds. Ruto has also introduced a new national health insurance scheme as well as a new funding model for higher education. Kenyans say the new models are "confusing". It is so "confusing" that private hospitals do not accept this insurance because it does not pay. President Ruto's former deputy Rigathi Gachagua was impeached and removed from office in October 2024 for "divisive" public statements. A major blow apparently initiated by William Ruto himself. He wanted to get rid of him. Gachagua had participated in the demonstrations, so he had to go. Gachagua, who was replaced by former Home Affairs Minister Kithure Kindiki, had been Vice President for two years. Another major trouble for Ruto came in the second half of 2024 when his government's proposed plan - to have India's Adani Group operate Kenya's main airport JKIA for 30 years - faced strong opposition, leading to the plan's failure. The 58-year-old Ruto's state visit to the United States in May 2024 was also a bit sceptical. And that was at best. His "friends" or, as Ruto himself puts it, "our friends", whoever they are, invited him. It wouldn't be so bad, but these "friends" sent a private plane, which certainly wasn't cheap, and brought him to the USA. From a purely legal point of view, this is a hidden gift acceptance. In other countries, this would lead to an investigation, in Kenya it led to a smiling president.

The protests were an outcry against injustice and state violence.