As President William Ruto's term continues, he finds himself in the eye of an unprecedented storm of public anger unmatched in Kenya's political history. Initially celebrated for his rise from humble beginnings to the presidency, Ruto's administration faces severe backlash as citizens express discontent over unfulfilled promises, skyrocketing living costs, and incidents of governmental violence against protesters.
Ruto's inquiry into why earlier leadership figures like Daniel arap Moi did not face similar public ire did little to quell current frustrations, as analysts describe the anger as "unprecedented," bridging ethnic and social lines within the country. Since Ruto's ascendancy to power, protests began and have intensified over the years, with calls for his resignation increasingly vocalized through slogans like "Ruto must go."
What fueled this discontent is a sense of betrayal felt by many Kenyans who believed Ruto would deliver on his pledges of economic uplift. His earlier image as a relatable common man sharply contrasts the president's current status, as a 2023 headline questioning whether he was "Kenya's most hated president" reflects the dramatic shift in public perception.
The current protests, fueled by issues such as high taxation and alleged government corruption, witnessed significant violence, leading to over a hundred civilian deaths in clashes with police, and igniting outrage against the administration's heavy-handed tactics. The response of police forces, marked by excessive force and mass arrests, has further alienated the populace and exacerbated the discontent.
Political analysts attribute Ruto's struggles to heightened informational access via social media, turning public discourse into an unfiltered critique of his administration. Observers note a shift in voter expectations from ethnic-centric politics to focusing on pressing issues relevant to daily life, leaving Ruto
