President William Ruto under fire

The 2027 presidential election in Kenya is part of the general elections officially scheduled for August 10, 2027. The Independent Electoral and Borders Commission (IEBC) has confirmed this date, based on the constitution, which stipulates elections every five years. The election isn't for more than a year, yet the election campaign has already begun. Almost a year after a major cabinet reshuffle, concerns are growing as to whether some of the newly appointed ministers are actually fulfilling their duties or merely holding office without achieving any visible impact. It's not just about holding a position; it's about these people collecting large sums of money and doing nothing. The lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi initiated this debate. He actually questioned the effectiveness of several ministries. Is he allowed to do that? There are indeed quite a few – not all, but not a few – ministries that have caught his attention. There are several key sectors, such as the environment, labor, water, agriculture, gender equality, and East African Community affairs, that require strong and visible leadership. And that's where the problem lies. Kenyans feel that these ministries remain largely inactive. They are not alone in this perception. The US government has expressed concerns about widespread corruption in Kenya and warned that this corruption continues to undermine fair trade and investment. Donald Trump and William Ruto had no direct joint projects or initiatives. However, their interactions and the relationship between the United States and Kenya during Trump's presidency were characterized by a number of political, economic, and diplomatic events and initiatives. (Read more at: https://afrikamonamour.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-us-government-cites-widespread.html) The president, who claims to be the "leader," was advised to revitalize these ministries through targeted and substantial appointments. This sparked a debate. Some agreed with his assessment, while others defended the officials, noting that effectiveness should not be measured solely by public perception or media presence. This applies to many politicians, including the president. His public profile and media presence are exceptionally high when asked what he has accomplished. The criticism comes against the backdrop of a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle carried out by President Ruto in 2024. Following public protests that resulted in over 90 deaths, he dissolved the entire cabinet and replaced it with a mix of allies and figures from across the political spectrum. Subsequently, experienced figures such as Mutahi Kagwe (sworn in as Minister of Agriculture on January 17, 2025, brings over four decades of experience in the public and private sectors. His focus is on increasing agricultural productivity and the development of livestock farming in Kenya in the face of ongoing economic challenges) assumed new posts, as did former governors such as Lee Kinyanjui (a businessman currently Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry in President William Ruto's government, a post to which he was appointed in late 2024 (and reassigned in 2025). He served two terms as Governor of Nakuru County and has a long career in national politics and public administration) and William Kabogo (a Kenyan politician and businessman currently Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in President William Ruto's government, sworn in on January 17, 2025). These changes were intended to strengthen governance, but frequent cabinet reshuffles and role changes disrupt continuity and progress. If progress can even be said to exist, The presidential office has not yet issued an official statement regarding possible dismissals. However, as public scrutiny increases, so does the pressure on President Ruto to act decisively and convince the population of his team's effectiveness. And that will be difficult. There are too many cases of corruption, too much mismanagement, too much brutality, and so on. In a meeting held on April 2, the head of state appointed Rita Kavashe as chancellor of Pwani University, KCB CEO Paul Russo as chancellor of Kibabii University, and Dr. Kevit Desai as chancellor of Kabianga University. According to Ruto, the three will hold their respective offices for a five-year term. Other appointments include: At the ministerial level, Labor Minister Alfred Mutua has appointed Geoffrey K. Maritim; Naiyanoi Ntutu, the 28-year-old wife of former MP Johanna Ngeno, to the board of the Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA); Mwangi J. Nderitu holds a board position at the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK); The Minister for Equality, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, made several changes to the Women Enterprise Fund Advisory Board, including both reappointments and new appointments. Yvonne Nalokitoo Tonkei was reappointed, while Wesley Kipchumba Keitany and Ebla Haji Aden were added as new members for a three-year term; In the fight against female genital mutilation, Beatrice Mwarania Mburugu and Saphina Chelagat were appointed by the Minister to the Advisory Council against Female Genital Mutilation for six years; Lucy Mirigo Micheni became a member of the Mineral Rights Advisory Board, while his counterpart in the Ministry of Education; Benjamin Kahura was appointed non-executive chairman of the National Polytechnic Council of Kabete, and Honey Abdi Mohamud was reappointed to the same body; Cornelius Kibet Some was appointed to the National Polytechnic Council of Kipsoen; Anthony Wainaina rejoins the board of the Special Economic Zone Authority. How one assesses this is left to each reader. It's strange that these reshuffles are happening right now. No one will have time before the next election, and the problems created by these changes won't lessen. William Ruto has been president of Kenya for four years; he campaigned on a promise to lead Kenya to a better future. Now Kenyans are left to ask themselves: where is this better future? https://newsaf.feednews.com/news/detail/d83c62aa55a195035aa87f329460f648?client=news https://news-af.feednews.com/news/detail/a73ba6225607506b2c7e5fc05c05aca9?client=news