is William Ruto the most disliked president in Kenya’s history?

When William Ruto was elected president, Kenyans assumed things would soon improve. But that didn't happen; quite the opposite; things got worse. William Ruto had promised a lot, but almost nothing was implemented. Ruto's government struggled with rising inflation, unemployment, and high taxes (e.g., the controversial Finance Bill 2023, which introduced new taxes amid public outcry. It was taken to the Supreme Court as unconstitutional and approved as legal a year later). The abolition of fuel and maize flour subsidies exacerbated the economic hardship of many Kenyans. Ruto ran as a "rogue," promising to help the poor. However, many believe his policies (such as tax increases) have done more harm than good to citizens. His about-face on key promises (e.g., lowering food prices, reducing debt) has fueled accusations of dishonesty. And then there were the anti-government protests of 2023, 2024, and 2025, which resulted in police crackdowns with live ammunition, resulting in deaths and injuries and damaging his human rights record. His dismissive remarks (e.g., telling Kenyans that "life is hard") and his lavish spending (such as a KSh 200 million helicopter) while citizens suffer have angered many. For example, since taking office in September 2022, President William Ruto has faced considerable criticism and growing unpopularity. However, whether he is the most unpopular president in Kenya's history is debatable. A comparison of William Ruto to his predecessors has already been mentioned. In short, he is in good company. It is difficult to call William Ruto the most unpopular president in Kenya's history. Antipathy is subjective and fluctuates over time, often related to specific policies, the economic situation, or social unrest. Ruto, Kenya's fifth president since September 2022, has faced significant backlash, particularly in the past three years. Protests, which have resulted in over 100 reported deaths, have been fueled by grievances such as aggressive tax hikes, high living costs, allegations of corruption, and police brutality. The slogans "Ruto Must Go" and "Ruto Wantam" (Ruto for One Term) reflect a broad, youth-led movement that is unusually united across ethnic, religious, and social lines. Analysts such as Mark Bichachi have described this public anger as "unprecedented" and "historic," surpassing even the resistance during the repressive one-party state under Daniel arap Moi in the 1980s and 1990s. Social media is amplifying this discontent: Kenya's digitally savvy youth are pushing narratives like "We are all Kikuyus" to reject ethnic division—a departure from the political dynamics of the past. Some sources, such as a July 2025 BBC article, point to Ruto's frustration at being singled out in comparison to predecessors like Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta, who also faced criticism but arguably not to this extent and intensity. One newspaper headline even asked whether Ruto was "Kenya's most hated president"—a sentiment echoed online. However, historical context makes the label “most unpopular president” difficult. Moi, who ruled for 24 years, was notorious for political repression, human rights abuses, and a 1982 coup attempt that sparked terror. His era was marked by brutal crackdowns, but public opposition was often muted or less visible due to limited media coverage and the absence of social media. Kibaki faced a backlash during the 2007 electoral violence that left over 1,200 people dead and 600,000 displaced, partly as a result of Ruto’s political actions at the time. Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto’s former ally, was criticized for corruption and economic stagnation, but his time in office did not see comparable sustained protests. Dr. Njoki Wamai argues that criticizing presidents in times of crisis is a Kenyan tradition. Ruto's backlash is not an isolated incident, but is only amplified by today's digital landscape. Ruto's defenders point to his 2022 election victory, in which he positioned himself as a "hustler" against elite dynasties, thus appealing to underemployed youth. While his policies, such as universal health care and fertilizer subsidies, had positive effects, critics argue these are overshadowed by broken promises, such as the failure to reduce the cost of living. His nicknames—Zakayo (tax collector), El Chapo, Kasongo—reflect public frustration over perceived greed and betrayal. He is referred to as "least liked" or "most loathed" in social media posts. In the short term, Ruto's disapproval ratings (according to TIFA and Infotrak polls) were historically low. Some surveys showed dissatisfaction exceeding 70% in 2024. However, Moi's era was far more brutal (arrests, killings), while Kenyatta's corruption was more systematic. Ruto's unpopularity is not over yet – if the economic problems and repression persist, he could surpass the public contempt of previous presidents. Ruto's unpopularity currently appears acute due to economic difficulties and youth activism. What can be said unequivocally is that Ruto is arguably one of the most unpopular presidents in recent times. Whether he is the most unpopular president of all time depends on the assessment of his entire term in office. 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