You have 2 years to regain your political capital: Expert to Ruto

President William Ruto’s early life mirrors the struggles of many impoverished Kenyans. 

His presidential campaign under the Kenya Kwanza banner, translating to "Kenya First," was initially promising.

Many hoped that a leader who once experienced similar hardships would prioritise economic growth through his touted bottom-up approach.

However, 22 months into his presidency, public opinion and expert analysis have shifted. 

Kidi Mwanga, Convener of the Inter-Parties Youth Forum, criticised Ruto for focusing on minor issues with minimal political gain. Mwanga pointed out that the president has not fulfilled many of his pre-election promises.

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“Ruto, who capitalised on the people's desire for change, was expected to implement credible laws and maintain a lean government to reduce administrative costs. Instead, his administration has been inefficient,” said Mwanga on Spice FM on Tuesday, July 30. 

According to Mwanga, Ruto has squandered his initial political capital, leading to growing unrest among Kenyan youth demanding substantial reforms. He argued that the reforms Kenyans are now calling for should have been enacted immediately upon Ruto’s assumption of office.

Despite these challenges, the expert believes President Ruto still has a chance to recover his standing with the new Cabinet. 

If the Cabinet performs effectively, Ruto could redeem himself. Conversely, if it fails like the previous one, regaining political capital may prove difficult.

“If the new Cabinet does not help the President recover his political capital, we hope this administration will not attempt to impose itself on the people, as it could face significant challenges by 2027,” Mwanga noted. 

The remarks follow recent government changes, including Ruto’s rejection of the 2024 Finance Bill, the dismissal of his entire Cabinet, and an array of austerity measures to curb government excesses