The president of Kenya, William Ruto, has relayed what he believes should be the benchmark for the performance of his administration, noting that impact and transformation, rather than term limits and time, should determine his leadership.
- Ruto faces criticism and public protests after incidents, including the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody.
- The president advocates for long-term decisions and policies benefiting future generations over immediate political gains.
- He affirms that his leadership aims to address systemic challenges and establish a robust foundation for Kenya’s future development.
His sentiment comes after critics and opposition called for his tenure to be a one-term run.
Ruto, who has come under heavy scrutiny in the last year, has found his reputation go from a president with a hustler’s spirit and empathy for the poor to one who seems distant.
Currently, some Kenyans have taken to the streets to protest the killing of blogger and educator Albert Ojwang in police custody, an incident which has reopened a nagging wound for the Ruto government.
Last year, Kenyans called for the resignation of the president under the Ruto must go banner, a demand which has resurfaced following Albert Ojwang’s tragedy.
In light of such protests, critics and opposition have also latched onto the idea, condemning the Ruto administration.
The president has, however, publicly defended his term, arguing that his accomplishments should be evaluated more than his tenure, as reported by The Star.
What William Ruto said
“I will not allow anybody to define me in terms of time, terms, and elections, no. This project is not about how many terms you serve or which elections come this way or that way,” Ruto said.
“I want leadership in Kenya to be defined by how much impact we are making and the transformation we are undertaking, and how good a foundation we are laying for generations to come.
That is what Kenya should be defined by; that is how leadership should be defined in Kenya.”
William Ruto urged all leaders to make long-term decisions for the future and stated what he is concentrating on delivering to Kenyans.
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He noted that his policies are for the next generation, not for tomorrow or the next election.
“We have wasted a lot of time; we have wasted eternity chasing the next election and the next most popular thing, and in the process, our country has suffered. We are going to change that trajectory by God’s Grace, and this country is going to go places,” he remarked.
He asserted that a leader’s success is determined by the influence, change, and difference they make as well as the strength of the foundation they are laying, not by the length of time they serve.
