When William Ruto started off on the campaign trail for his quest for presidency, he carried the hopes of many people.
Many cast their ballot in his favor because he seemed believable.
He seemed to connect with the ‘ground’ in ways his main opponent couldn’t.
He brandished his faith as badge of honor that lured many religious folk to his fold.
He seemed to have another level of charisma.
He easily formed political affiliations and even scavenged from his opponents.
In many ways, William Ruto’s campaign machine was a well-oiled behemoth that was destined to crush any opposition on its way.
And truthfully, he emerged victorious.
But I’ve come to learn that a good campaign team doesn’t always translate to good leadership.
It could be possible that William Ruto underestimated the economic challenges of the nation.
Sooner or later, he found himself doing the things he had vehemently sworn not to do…
He instituted new taxes like the housing levy…
He introduced a range of taxes on businesses…
He even promised to increase the tax levels to at least 20% of the GDP.
The finance bill of 2024 awakened Kenyans to the reality that William Ruto is not what he claims to be.
It revealed his masters – the Breton Woods institutions.
But before we got here, what were other tell-tale signs of a leadership filled with deceit?
THE FAKE FERTILIZER SCANDAL
Perhaps this was the most blatant and deliberate act of thuggery the Ruto regime engaged in.
First, he assigned the ministry of agriculture to his political sidekick.
So mismanaged was this ministry that it culminated into the ferrilizer scandal.
Independent media outlets like ‘Africa Uncensored’ even exposed the thuggery that was propagated with the cabinet minister being a chief accomplice.
Fake fertilizer may seem a small matter but just imagine a peasant farmer growing maize in his 5 acre farm purchasing fertilizer from a government he trusts only to find a mixture of limestone and donkey poop labeled as 17:17:17!
This same farmer expects to cater for his needs from the sale of his produce.
Instead, his crop will fail.
Now replicate this countrywide and see the crisis that unfolds.
All this happened right under the nose of the minister who was impeached by parliament but then again found ‘innocent’ by a committee of the same parliament set up to investigate him.
But let’s rewind further.
THE HOUSING LEVY TRAVESTY
William Ruto had a campaign strategy.
His goal was to create such a deliberate class divide to make him look sympathetic to the poor.
Of course, the Kenyans living in squalor provide the lion’s share of the votes.
But how would Ruto endear himself more to the already disenfranchised electorate?
By conjuring up a patched up legislation to charge the middle class for houses they don’t need and inform the poor Kenyans that their housing problems would be sorted by this move.
Of course William surrounds himself with Breton Woods branded economists like David Ndii but it’s either he doesn’t listen to them or they play the ‘yes men’ they’re supposed to be.
Initially, it was meant to be a voluntary contribution .
But today, it’s compulsory even if you don’t desire to pay for a house or have your own house.
But let’s roll back a bit again.
EDIBLE OIL SCANDAL
Edible oil prices had been facing wild fluctuations even when Ruto was taking over.
So he decides to solve this problem by using a government agency which imports edible oil in bulk and sell it at a lower price thereby stabilising market prices.
Now, the health implications of edible seed oils are another subject altogether.
So let’s stick to this so-called deal.
We expected the price to go down considerably.
Well it did… slightly.
However, upon audit of the deal, it was discovered that government officials raked wild profits in the process.
What do we mean?
They bought the edible oil at a very low price and sold it at the market price – or more – when it was to be subsidised.
But the gravy train in Ruto’s regime doesn’t just stop there.
Remember that these are the scandals that have been unearthed.
There are others still under the radar.
So let’s take a shallow dive into the subject of the day…
ADANI
This Indian company runs a range of business interests.
However, they’ve been interested in the transportation, energy, and healthcare sector in Kenya.
The business of Adani was meant to be done under the radar.
However, some staff in the transport ministry exposed some communication between Adani and Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen, a close Ruto associate, pertaining to long term leasing of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
But the process of unearthing this airport deal was like peeling an onion.
With every layer, came tears and more tears.
Adani isn’t in the business of improving the airport in Kenya.
Instead, they’re in the business of profiteering..
If not, then tell me why:
They insist that no airport development be done within a radius of about 100 km from JKIA during their 30 years tenure in charge..
They intend to ramp up airport charges by 50% yet there’s no added value…
They intend to get an astronomical return on equity yet they’ll still be taking income from the airport.
Besides, the tender awarding was not competitive despite a consultant’s recommendation.
And we have not even touched the social health insurance fund (SHIF) which was set up using over KES 104 billion.
This same SHIF dictates that each and every Kenyan pay 2.75% of their gross salary to it (probably 3 to 4 times what we used to pay to the defunct National Hospital Imsurance Fund), yet we hear of dialysis patients being turned back.
How possible is this when we pay more?
How possible is it for a cheaper health care system to deliver better service than an expensive one?
It all boils down to one reason…
Corruption, pilferage of funds and sheer mismanagement.
But William Ruto and his sidekicks tell us how inflation has reduced to 2.7%.
Yes, the rate of price hikes for commodities has stabilised.
However, incomes have been squeezed, making it unbearable for Kenyans to afford those same commodities.
In other words, it’s like taking money from your pocket while stabilising the prices of commodities.
It makes no economic sense because purchasing power has been slashed.
But let me stop at that – for now.
BOTTOM LINE
William Ruto has a social contract with the people of Kenya.
He is constitutionally mandated to take care of the welfare of the people of this nation.
Instead, his government has chosen to turn back on its promises.
He has chosen to crack down on dissent through abductions, intimidation, and forming unnecessary political associations with the opposition, which leaves his government unchecked.
He has chosen to use parliament to fight his private political battles instead of championing national causes.
But it’s upto him to either choose to deliver or keep on piling frustration among Kenyans..
A time will come when Kenyans themselves, will call him to account.
That day, Kenyans will activate article 1 of the constitution – We, the People.
They’ll bypass the corrupt parliament and judiciary.
That day may be in 2027, before or after it.
It’s not whether it’ll come.
It’s about when it will come.
And mind you, his political sidekicks won’t be available for use.
I can guarantee that.
