Ruto Faces Backlash Over Unfulfilled Promises Amid Protests and Governance Concerns

President William Ruto finds himself in the eye of a political storm as many of the promises he made during the Generation Z-led protests over two months ago remain unfulfilled.

The President, who was once hailed for his quick thinking in quelling the unrest, now faces growing criticism from the public and human rights groups over his government’s failure to deliver on key commitments.

During the protests, Ruto promised to halt arbitrary arrests, investigate the killings of protestors allegedly perpetrated by security agencies, and compensate the families of the victims.

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However, these promises have largely gone unmet. Families of those who disappeared or were killed during the protests continue to search for their loved ones in jails, morgues, and police stations across the country.

Recent cases of abduction in Kitengela and Kibra have only heightened public anxiety. On Monday, Bob Njagi, a prominent human rights activist and leader of the Free Kenya Movement, was forcibly taken by masked men, sparking widespread concern.

Similarly, the Longton brothers, Aslam and Jamil, were abducted outside their Kitengela home, and their whereabouts remain unknown.

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In Kibra, Boniface Ambasou and Moses Mwaura Njau disappeared following anti-government protests, and their families are still desperately searching for them.

In response to the protests, Ruto announced several austerity measures aimed at streamlining government operations and addressing the bloated wage bill.

He vowed to reduce the number of ministries, dissolve 47 State Corporations with overlapping functions, and cut the number of advisors in public service.

However, there has been little progress on these fronts. No State Corporations have been dissolved, and the number of advisors in government appears to be increasing rather than decreasing.

Recent appointments, such as former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria as Senior Adviser in the Council of Economic Advisors, have drawn criticism for expanding the government instead of trimming it.

The appointment of Eliud Owalo as Deputy Chief of Staff and Dennis Itumbi as Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects has further fueled concerns that Ruto’s administration is not adhering to its promises.

Another controversial issue is the continued funding for the offices of the First Lady and the Deputy President’s spouse, despite Ruto’s pledge to eliminate these budget lines.

State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito recently requested the reinstatement of Sh1.7 billion for staff salaries and other expenses, contradicting the President’s austerity commitments.

Ruto’s stance on public servants participating in harambees (fundraisers) has also come under scrutiny.

Despite issuing a directive to ban such activities, the President recently endorsed a funds drive for the construction of a church in Nyandarua, raising questions about his consistency.

Finally, the President’s decision to nominate Douglas Kanja as Inspector General of Police despite him being 60 years old—a violation of his own directive on the retirement age—has sparked further controversy.

The Public Service Commission is also under fire for retaining retired officers in critical positions, a move that has been defended on the grounds of “institutional memory.”