Ruto’s Re-election Hopes Amid Unrest

By Brian Ochieng Akoko, Reporter | Nakuru City – Kenya.

Nairobi County, Kenya – President William Ruto’s presidency is facing major challenges. The economy is struggling, and there is widespread public anger.

This discontent has led to a powerful wave of youth-led protests. While the President has said he is focused on national improvement, his political actions show he is already preparing for the 2027 election.

The Economic Squeeze on Kenyans

Ruto came to power promising to help ordinary Kenyans. His „Bottom-Up Economic Agenda“ aimed to boost small businesses and ease the financial burden.

However, many people feel that new tax policies have made things worse. The proposed Finance Bill 2024 was a major flashpoint. It included new taxes on basic goods like bread and on the transport of sugarcane.

Other targets for new taxes included mobile phones, electric vehicles, and online services. These measures were seen as a betrayal of Ruto’s campaign promises. While the government says the economy is improving, many Kenyans don’t feel it.

Despite official claims of a stable shilling and lower inflation, the cost of living remains high. This gap between official statistics and daily life has created deep public distrust.

Key Policies Face Public Backlash

Beyond taxes, the government’s main programs have also faced controversy.The Affordable Housing Programme was meant to provide homes for Kenyans.

However, a court ruled the mandatory housing levy unconstitutional. This has caused legal and financial issues. Also, the cheapest homes are still too expensive for most workers.

Similarly, the new Higher Education Funding Model has faced student protests. Many students from low-income families were incorrectly categorized, leaving them unable to pay for tuition.

The High Court has temporarily suspended the model. These repeated failures make the government seem out of touch with its people.

A Digital Revolution of Dissent

The protests against the Finance Bill 2024 were driven by Generation Z. This movement has changed Kenyan activism.

It uses digital tools to organize and spread its message, with Nairobi as its center. What began as a protest against taxes quickly became a challenge to the government itself.

The movement was fueled by incidents of police brutality, including the deaths of a blogger and a street vendor.

The protests’ demands expanded to include an end to police violence, a call for accountability, and even the resignation of President Ruto. Gen Z’s digital skills have been key.

They have used social media platforms like X, TikTok, and WhatsApp to bypass traditional media. They used AI tools to explain the bill to the public and organized mass messaging campaigns to reach politicians directly.

A Violent Government Response

The Ruto administration has responded to the protests with a hardline approach. Security forces have used live ammunition and tear gas against peaceful demonstrators.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported a high number of deaths and injuries during the clashes. The government has also been accused of abducting and intimidating activists.

Some protesters have been charged with terrorism, a move widely condemned as excessive. President Ruto has branded demonstrators as „terrorists“ and ordered security forces to shoot people who damage property.

The opposition has accused police of acting as a „death squad“ and is threatening to refer Ruto to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This repressive environment threatens to stifle democratic expression and push dissent underground.

Gen Z’s Innovative Tactics

Generation Z’s unparalleled digital fluency has been the engine of this new activism. They have effectively leveraged technology to bypass traditional media gatekeepers and political structures, making their movement remarkably resilient and decentralized.

Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram became primary channels for organizing and disseminating information. Hashtags such as #RutoMustGo and #EndPoliceBrutalityKE rapidly trended, amplifying their message globally.

Activists innovatively translated complex legislative details of the Finance Bill into local languages, making them accessible to a wider audience. They utilized Artificial Intelligence tools like ChatGPT to answer public queries about the bill, demonstrating a sophisticated approach to public education.

Strategic leaking of phone numbers of political leaders enabled mass SMS and WhatsApp messaging campaigns, fostering direct public engagement with decision-makers. This tech-savvy, organic, and decentralized approach has made the movement less susceptible to traditional forms of government control or co-option.

It has allowed activists to present themselves as informed and legitimate agents of change, challenging stereotypes of politically immature youth.

Alliances and New Rivals

President Ruto’s political strategy is focused on securing his re-election. A key move is his pact with long-time rival, opposition leader Raila Odinga.

This alliance is seen as a way for Ruto to neutralize a major opponent and consolidate power. However, the deal has been criticized as a „stitch-up by the tribal kingpins.“

Critics say it undermines democratic accountability. The pact has also divided both Ruto’s and Odinga’s political bases. Meanwhile, a new opposition coalition is forming under the banner of „Anyone But Ruto.“

It includes prominent figures like Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.New contenders are also emerging. Former Chief Justice David Maraga, known for his integrity, has announced his interest in the presidency.

He has criticized the government’s attacks on the judiciary. Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i is also vying for the presidency.

He is seen as having significant support from Gen Z. The political landscape is highly fluid. The division among opposition figures could benefit Ruto.

However, it also shows that a search for new leadership is underway, one that might move beyond traditional ethnic politics towards a focus on governance and economic justice.