Kenya’s President William Ruto Faces Growing Calls to Step Down
In a stunning turn of events, Kenyan President William Ruto is facing mounting pressure to leave office, barely two years into his presidency. The slogan "wantam," or one term, has become a rallying cry for protesters, who are demanding that Ruto vacate the presidency when his term expires in 2027. For many Kenyans, even that seems too long to wait.
Ruto’s popularity plummeted after he introduced aggressive tax measures, which many saw as a betrayal of his campaign promise to support working-class people. The tax hikes sparked widespread protests, with thousands of young people taking to the streets in an unsuccessful bid to force his resignation. The most violent incident left at least 22 people dead, with protesters sacking and attempting to burn the parliamentary building in Nairobi.
The latest wave of protests was triggered by the death of a blogger in police custody, highlighting concerns about corruption, authoritarianism, and the misuse of power. Protesters are calling for an end to corruption, marked by the theft of public resources and the extravagant lifestyles of politicians. Some have dubbed Ruto "Zakayo," referring to the biblical tax collector Zacchaeus, while others call him "mwizi," Kiswahili for thief.
Ruto’s government has been criticized for its handling of the economy, with negotiations for new debt with the International Monetary Fund drawing criticism from those who say proposed reforms will hurt the poor while benefiting politicians and the business class. Attorney Eric Nakhurenya, a government policy analyst, attributes the anger to Ruto’s "overpromising and underdelivering" on his campaign promises.
The president’s interior minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, has warned protesters that they will be dealt with harshly, while Ruto himself has said that he will not be swayed by the protests. In a characteristic speech, Ruto warned that if there is no Kenya for him, then there will be no Kenya for anyone else.
Ruto’s rise to power was marked by a narrow election victory in 2022, and he has since co-opted opposition leader Raila Odinga as a political ally. However, his relationship with his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, has been tumultuous, with Gachagua being impeached by lawmakers in a process that Ruto claimed he had no involvement in.
As the protests continue to gain momentum, it remains to be seen whether Ruto will heed the calls to step down or cling to power. One thing is certain, however: Kenyans are demanding change, and their voices will not be silenced. As 21-year-old student Peter Kairu said, "Until we ourselves decide to become the change we want, nothing will change." The future of Kenya hangs in the balance, and the world is watching.
