In Part 1, we examined how the election of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto in 2013 entrenched impunity and normalized corruption in Kenya. Now, we turn to Ruto’s presidency—a regime that promised transformation but has instead deepened the country’s crises through hypocrisy, repression, and the same old tribal politics.
Ruto’s Questionable Past: From Mau Evictions to Poisonous Maize
Long before becoming president, Ruto’s political career was marred by controversies. One of the most telling was his opposition to the evictions from the Mau Forest—a critical water tower that feeds multiple rivers across Kenya. As then-Prime Minister Raila Odinga led efforts to reclaim the forest from illegal settlers, Ruto and his allies, including Isaac Ruto, shamelessly opposed the move.
Isaac Ruto’s infamous statement—"I have never seen rain fall from trees. We all know rains fall from the skies"—was not just ignorant but a deliberate exploitation of public gullibility. Yet, instead of being shamed for such reckless rhetoric, he was rewarded with the governorship of Bomet. This episode underscores a grim reality: Kenyan politicians thrive by sabotaging environmental conservation and misleading the public—and voters keep rewarding them.
Ruto’s scandals didn’t end there. He was implicated in the maize scandal, where contaminated maize laced with aflatoxin (a known carcinogen) was imported into Kenya. Had this maize reached the market, it could have caused a public health disaster. Yet, like many other scandals tied to him, accountability was never pursued.
The 2022 Election: A Deep State Project?
Ruto’s path to the presidency was riddled with suspicious maneuvers. During his campaigns, he boasted of connections to the "deep state"—a shadowy network of powerful figures who allegedly manipulate politics behind the scenes. This claim gained eerie credibility when the BBC declared him the winner of the 2022 election before official results were announced.
How did a foreign media outlet know the outcome before Kenya’s electoral commission? Why was the British High Commissioner conspicuously present during the announcement? These questions remain unanswered, fueling suspicions that Ruto’s presidency was less a democratic choice and more an imposition by external forces.
The Hustler vs. Dynasty Con: A Masterclass in Deception
Ruto’s 2022 campaign was built on the "hustler vs. dynasty" narrative. He painted himself as a self-made "hustler" fighting against Kenya’s entrenched political dynasties. Yet, this was a blatant lie:
He was part of the Uhuru regime as Deputy President for a decade but suddenly distanced himself from its failures—without ever resigning.
He amassed inexplicable wealth in a short time, raising questions about his "hustler" claims.
He promised lower taxes but, upon taking power, introduced brutal tax hikes, including the controversial housing levy, whose purpose remains unclear.
His so-called "bottom-up economic model" turned out to mean taxing the poor to fund elite extravagance. Kenyans are now burdened with paying for phantom loans like the Eurobond, which vanished into private pockets under Uhuru’s watch.
Gen Z Protests: Ruto’s Brutal Crackdown and Raila’s Betrayal
When Gen Z-led protests erupted in 2023 against oppressive taxation and corruption, Ruto’s response was brutal repression. Police killed over 60 protesters, and Ruto initially dismissed them as "criminals" before feigning sympathy.
But the most shocking betrayal came from Raila Odinga. The man who once led protests against authoritarianism now rallied behind Ruto, asking Kenyans: "After removing Ruto, what next?"
This single question exposed Raila’s hypocrisy:
If someone had asked him the same during Moi’s era, would he have stopped fighting?
Did he oppose Moi and Kibaki on principle—or because he wasn’t getting a share of the "meat"?
Why did he contest against Ruto in 2022 if he now believes no one else can lead Kenya?
Raila’s sudden alliance with Ruto confirmed what many suspected: Kenya’s political elite are all the same—united in greed, divided only by theatrics.
Tribalism and the "It’s Our Turn to Eat" Mentality
A telling conversation with a Raila supporter revealed the depth of Kenya’s rot:
"When someone has slaughtered his cow and invited you to take your share, do you refuse?" the supporter asked. "This is a cow we never reared. We should enjoy it."
This mindset—tribal loyalty over national interest—explains why Kenya remains trapped in cycles of misrule. Many oppose anti-Ruto protests not because they support his policies, but because their tribal kingpin is now "eating" with him.
Conclusion: A Nation Held Hostage by Its Leaders—And Its People
Kenya’s situation seems hopeless because:
Voters keep electing corrupt leaders based on tribe, not merit.
The opposition is complicit, switching sides when power is shared.
The youth uprising is undermined by tribal loyalists protecting their "share of the meat."
Unless Kenyans reject tribalism, demand accountability, and stop excusing their leaders, the cycle will continue. There is hope—but only if the people choose it.
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