Why Is President Ruto Facing Mounting Public Criticism?
President William Ruto has come under increasing pressure as youth-led protests and online campaigns calling for his resignation gain traction across Kenya. The popular slogans “Ruto Must Go” and “Wantam”, a term suggesting he will be a one-term president, have become rallying cries for many disillusioned citizens. Protesters point to soaring living costs, rising unemployment, heavy taxation, government corruption, and sweeping policy reforms as reasons for their dissatisfaction.
Ruto, who came into office promising to uplift the ordinary Kenyan, now faces a growing public outcry accusing him of failing to deliver. Nearly three years into his presidency, frustration has spilled into the streets and dominated social media spaces.
How Did Ruto Respond to Resignation Demands?
During an address at the Nairobi Securities Exchange on Wednesday, Ruto confronted the criticism head-on. “Just like those who were there before me, my time will come and I will go,” he said. “But, respectfully, sirs and madams, what are your reasons for this ‘Ruto must go’?”
He rejected the slogans as lacking substance, urging critics to present actionable alternatives instead. “Maybe you don’t agree with the policies and plans he has for our nation, which is okay. But please, would you kindly favour us with your alternative plan? The more I listen, the more I find it just sloganeering.”
Ruto added, “You cannot replace a plan you don’t like with nothing… I have heard some say, ‘Let Ruto go and we will figure out the alternative plan later.’ To me, that sounds like ‘wash wash’ conmanship.”
What Is Ruto’s Defense of His Controversial Reforms?
Amid widespread criticism of his reforms, Ruto stood by key policy shifts. He defended the affordable housing project, the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), and the overhaul of the university funding model.
“The NHIF never worked. The old university funding model crippled our education,” he stated. He attributed resistance to his reforms to a public that’s too comfortable with the familiar. “Aiming higher invites scrutiny from critics, suspicion from cynics, and doubt from their cousins, the naysayers,” he told the audience. “But that is the nature of bold reform: it unsettles the status quo and challenges the comfort of the known and the familiar.”
Ruto ended his speech by urging his critics to engage with policy rather than slogans. “Be bold enough to tell us. ‘Wantam’, ‘Kasongo’, and ‘Ruto must go’ are not enough!”
By Lucky Anyanje