William Samoei RUTO, at 55, became Kenya’s fifth president, winning a highly contested election with the slimmest of margins at 50.49 per cent. This former street chicken seller wooed the country with catchy phrases, calling himself a “hustler” to identify with ordinary Kenyans – WANANCHI. Today he is without doubt one of Kenya’s richest men. How he amassed his staggering wealth remains a mystery and is morally reprehensible. It is the talk of town in Nairobi’s crowded bars.
For many years Kenya has been the oasis of stability and tranquility in East Africa. Under Ruto those days seem to be coming to a halt, in rather disturbing and tragic ways.
Meantime, the government put VAT on bread that the ordinary Kenyan needs to survive but can hardly afford. Kenyan elite, Ruto’s” tribe”, disgustingly display obscene opulence in a land of 10 millionaires and 50 million hustlers.
Judging by what has been going on in Kenya in the last few months, Africa’s 10th largest economy, this will be Ruto’s first and last term. His fate was sealed when, in broad daylight, in front of the press and live cameras, the Commander-in-Chief gave his police goons carte Blanche to shoot peaceful young demonstrators in the leg. On that day, Ruto lost the moral standing to rule Kenya.
Ruto’s ruthlessness and politics rooted in ethnicity makes Arap Moi’s time at the helm look peaceful, and they were not. At least Moi did not pretend to be anything but a Strong Man, that breed that has eaten Africans across the continent alive. Democrat Moi was not, and he did not pretend to be one especially after he survived an attempted military coup on August 1, 1982 led by junior officers of the Kenyan Air Force.
After the death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang, Kenya was soaked in the blood of young innocent Kenyans whose only crime was to be un-employed. They were armed with hope for a better Kenya. Yes, they were un-armed. Fearless. Leaderless. Tribalesss. And they are un-stoppable. They keep reminding Ruto that he cannot kill all of them. After all they have nothing else to lose.
Kenyan police has been accused of human rights abuses, including allegations of government critics and activists being abducted and tortured in broad daylight by security officers hiding behind masks. The Kenyan judiciary has been rendered useless as government institutions lay in ruins in a country that was once considered the cradle of democracy in East Africa, if not all of Africa.
A few years ago, William Ruto and co-accused, Joshua Sang, were indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity related to the 2007-2008 post election violence in Kenya. The case was terminated on April 5, 2016. The court ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict them, BUT IT DID NOT ACQUIT THEM. The case was terminated without prejudice to re-prosecution in the future, meaning a new prosecution could occur if further evidence comes to light, either at the ICC or in a national jurisdiction.
Ruto is either hard of hearing or he simply has fallen victim to the messiah complex. It is safe to bet that the ICC is looking at what is taking place in Kenya with a keen eye. Ask Rodrigo Duterte, former Philippine President whose new address is at The Hague now on trial for crimes against humanity while in power.
Tribal rivalries in Kenya seems to be the root cause of Kenya’s problems. Raila Odinga preaches to the Luo Nation. Uhuru Kenyatta’s base was with his Kikuyu brethren. Now Moi pins his hope for survival on dividing the opposition by appealing to his Kalenjin tribe to cover his back. This is all beautifully captured in a political thriller of modern Kenya : “It’s Our Turn to Eat” – an eye-opening account of tribal rivalries, pervasive graft and the rising anger of the average Kenyan who survives on the crumbs thrown to them by the Fat Cats.
Rigathi Gachagua, recently impeached and forced out of office of Deputy President, has been on a tour of the US, talking and appealing to “my Mt Kenya People” – a reference to his Kikuyu tribe – a blatant dangerous dog whistle that is not the recipe Kenya needs in these turbulent times. That a national leader can go on an international tour appealing to tribal sentiments is not only regrettable but reprehensible.
Kenya is at crossroads. President Ruto must reign in his police goons and restore law and order, stop killing young Kenyans who are demanding long over due change or resign now for the love of country, or finish his remaining term as a lame duck with egg on his face, knowing that history will not be kind to him.
In the words of Ojwang’s mother Eucabeth, “I feel a lot of pain because there are people who came home and took my son … I feel pain because he is dead.”
Ojwang is now speaking to President Ruto from his grave. And we are all listening.
Sadly, Ruto is only one of the “leaders” dragging Africa into chaos and misery. History demonstrates that Revolution is the inevitable people’s response.