Ruto's defiance amid abductions, SHA crisis and poor economy

Amid rising abductions, escalating violence, a crumbling justice system, confusion in education and a healthcare crisis, ordinary Kenyans feel abandoned. While President William Ruto defends his Kenya Kwanza administration, little is seen on the ground that points to investigations of crimes, even when members of Cabinet come out in the open to complain about young people being abducted and found dead. On the other hand parliament and Judiciary have admitted that Kenya is losing Sh2 billion daily, even as complaints abound about failure of the never health insurance program Social Health Authority. "We are doing well," President Ruto posted on his X-platform on January 25th adding, "No region or community will be left out of our development plan. We will bring all Kenyans together - and work with all leaders from diverse political orientations - to have a more prosperous nation." Ruto's loyal deputy Kithure Kindiki, believes the president faces the same challenges Mwai Kibaki did but has remained resolute in his mission to transform Kenya. "What Ruto has achieved in two years, Kibaki took five years to do. Ruto is on the right track to improving our economy," Kindiki said during a meeting with a delegation from Tharaka Nithi County in Nairobi. He referred late Mwai Kibaki tenure, where he launched an anti-corruption campaign, introduced economic reforms, implemented free primary education, increased healthcare funding, and pursued constitutional reforms to enhance transparency and restore democratic governance. "A good transformative leader isn't always popular, but popularity comes with time. Let's give Ruto the time to deliver," he added. However, critics, the business community, and professionals blame Ruto for failing to hold his officers accountable. There have been no arrests, prosecutions, or dismissals for enforced disappearances and corruption. "If we are losing Sh 2 billion every day, even a small reduction could save billions. Just cutting down theft, even by half, could save Sh 365 billion a year," said Treasury CS John Mbadi said in November. Ruto's critics-including religious groups, the European Union, the US, political leaders, and NGOs-have called on him to address human rights abuses, corruption, and abductions. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 82 people have been abducted since June, 29 of whom are still missing. Seven of the cases occurred in December. "Seven abductions were reported in December, with six still missing," KNCHR stated, warning that these cases recall a dark chapter in Kenya's history when abductions were used to silence government critics. Dancan Kyalo (centre), brother to Justus Mutumwa, addresses the media outside City Mortuary, Nairobi. He is flanked by LSK President Faith Odhiambo (left) and Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo (right). [Collins Kweyu, Standard] Rising Public Pressure As public pressure mounts, a Nakuru family has filed a lawsuit demanding the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) produce their son, Brian Odhiambo, or his body, after his arrest on January 18, 2025. Eyewitnesses say KWS officers roughed him up and took him away. "We won't have peace until we get Brayo," said Esther, a local resident. "It's unconstitutional. If you arrest someone, you must take them to court within 24 hours or release them. We want his body if he's dead." Just days earlier, three men-Justus Musyimi, Martin Mwau, and Karani Muema-were abducted in Mlolongo. Musyimi's body was found in Ruai, while Mwau and Muema remain missing. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi have called for action. "Who is behind these abductions and killings? The police must investigate," Wetang'ula said. Muturi was forthright saying, "Mr. President, it's time to end these abductions. Young lives are being lost, and it must stop." Ruto promised in December to halt the abductions of government critics, reversing his previous dismissal of the reports as "fake news." Rights groups remain skeptical, demanding action away from the words. A month ago, the president, who had denied abductions, made a U-turn from his earlier stance that no one had been abducted and called on the police to investigate the cases- a clear indication that, under pressure, he can back down. "We have made it clear that any criminality must be investigated, whether undertaken by police or criminals, and we must get bottom of everything," Ruto said, adding, "there was a time kenyans were being killed and dumped in rivers and national parks, will not happen under my administration." The abductions started after Kenya Kwanza allied Mps-majority in parliament- refused to withdraw the controversial finance bill, containing controversial tax hikes , that caused demonstrations that desecrated parliament on July 25. "Having reflected on the continuing conversation regarding the content of the Finance Bill 2024, and listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede, and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill," Ruto said during a television address Wednesday, 26 July, I a rare development he made a U turn. The president also disbanded his Cabinet as demanded by Generation Z but his reappointment saw him retain his close buddies in Cabinet, a clear indication that he acts under pressure. "The people have spoken," Ruto said. "Following the passage of the bill, the country experienced widespread expression of dissatisfaction with the bill as passed, regrettably resulting in the loss of life, the destruction of property and desecration of constitutional institutions. Wiper Democratic Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka flanked by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua(Left)and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa(right) during a media briefing in Nairobi Funeral Home (formerly City Mortuary) on February 1,2025 on abductions and killings of the youth. [Benard Orwongo,Standard] Nairobi City Mortuary Allegations Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna accused the Nairobi City Mortuary of complicity in enforced disappearances, alleging that bodies from abductions were deliberately hidden. "How is it that bodies from Mlolongo were in the mortuary since December 18, yet families couldn't find them? The management is complicit and must be held accountable," Sifuna said. "Since independence, this administration is the first to target children for abduction and murder." impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said. "Abducting young people isn't a solution. You must address the root cause of discontent. Why has the public turned against you in just two years?" he asked. Political analyst Martin Andati believes that President Ruto focuses on the optics and may only act under pressure when things go really wrong. "The more abductions and police brutality the more Kenyans will resist. The more the problems pile the more Kenyans become disillusioned and the more his popularity fades," Andati said. SHA and the Healthcare Crisis The chaotic transition from NHIF to the new Social Health Insurance (SHA) system has left many Kenyans struggling to access essential healthcare, and some even dying. Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo voiced her concerns in Parliament: "Money is being deducted from my salary, but where is it going? How does this help a poor woman giving birth at Rangwe Hospital?" Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamucomba demanded a return to NHIF: "This new program is a mess. Our people don't know what to do. We must go back to the original program." Public discontent boiled over when police arrested Grace Njoki Mulei at the Ministry of Health for allegedly causing a disturbance when she protested against SHA, which MPs last week admitted has failed. She was released on KSh 10,000 bail and recounted how officers manhandled her without explaining the reason for her arrest. "I was at Ladnan Hospital when I saw a security officer I'd encountered at Kenyatta National Hospital. When I asked why he was there, he claimed to be visiting a patient. Then police arrived and demanded I follow them," she said. Her arrest drew backlash from Parliament. Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah questioned the Ministry's role: "Who filed the complaint? SHA? The Ministry? Or were the police acting on their own?" Religious Leaders and Civil Society Speak Out Two years into his presidency, Ruto has lost the support of former Christian allies among them Tony Kiama of River of God Church condemned the government, likening it to the biblical tax collector Zacchaeus due to excessive taxation and failure to address human rights abuses. Catholic bishops criticized the administration, saying, "Truth does not exist unless it is what the government says." They accused Ruto of fostering a culture of lies. The Law Society of Kenya condemned Mulei's arrest where Chairperson Faith Odhiambo said, "Persecuting citizens demanding accountability is unconstitutional. Her arrest was a violation of human dignity." Whereas the Kenya Kwanza administration has assured Kenyans that the economy is doing well and that people will start enjoying the benefits of Ruto's policies, many ordinary Kenyans like George Okuta, a primary school teacher in Kisumu, the escalating tax burden is a constant struggle, which leaves him broke, living from hand to mouth. George Okuta, a primary school teacher in Kisumu who takes home just KSh 17,000 after deductions, says Ruto's failure to address the struggles of Kenyans has left many like him in distress-a reality faced by countless workers across the country. "From that KSh 17,000, I pay KSh 12,000 in rent, leaving me with only KSh 5,000 for commuting, buying food, and supporting my family," Okuta says. "That's why many of us, especially public servants, end up taking loans to survive." As the firstborn, Okuta shoulders the burden of supporting his mother and paying school fees for his two children, yet he struggles to see the value of paying taxes for services he barely benefits from. "I'm paying taxes for things like SHA and the Housing Levy, but these are not helping me. Accessing public services is a problem, and I don't understand why I pay all that in taxes when even basic services like health an d affordable housing are out of reach," he says. The Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE) has raised concern over government's continued efforts- to increase tax and poor policies, which have pushed tens of companies top close shop and 57 companies announcing redundancies. "In 2024, we had 202 companies declaring redundancies. In 2023, we had 11, and in 2022, the remaining. Out of this, from our membership, some 5,567 were affected. This is just an indication because these are just the numbers we get from our members. There are lots of other companies declaring redundancies," said Jackline Mugo, CEO FKE warns that this could lead to social unrest, with many salaried Kenyans struggling to maintain their livelihoods due to shrinking take-home pay, which has fallen below the recommended one-third threshold. "Employers face challenges complying with statutory requirements such as PAYE, Housing Levy, and SHIF, which collectively account for 40-45% of gross pay. These deductions significantly reduce employees' disposable income, sometimes leaving them with less than one-third of their salary, as required under Section 19(3) of the Employment Act 2007," FKE said, adding, "This exposes employers to penalties and reduces purchasing power, leading to lower retail and FMCG sales by 15-20%." Mugo said in a statement in a statement to The Standard. Political Historian Macharia Munene said the only thing Kenyans can do is to register to vote in big numbers to dictate the next polls. "Unfortunately, two years is a long time, and people tend to forget. Being a candid politician, he might make a comeback. He is unpopular but could still change things," Macharia said, adding, "We all know things are not working. We have reverted to the old university funding system because he failed to listen to vice-chancellors and instead introduced a new funding model. SHA is facing numerous problems. And if Ichung'wa, his right-hand man, is complaining, then we have a serious issue. The problem is that Ruto is listening to people like 'Engineer Sudi,' which clearly signals trouble." Macharia said Ruto is like Donald Trump, trying to upset the system.

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