Kenya’s current president, William Ruto, recently asserted that he is the best president Kenya has produced since its independence. This is coming amid a flurry of demands for his resignation.
- Kenya’s President William Ruto asserts he is the best leader Kenya has had since independence, citing his educational background and political experience.
- Ruto highlighted his grassroots beginnings and Ph.D. qualification as distinct attributes enabling him to address Kenya’s challenges effectively.
- The President drew comparisons to former leaders, incorporating their virtues into his leadership narrative, while promising national transformation.
He made his opinion on his place among Kenya’s head of states known on Monday, during a meeting at the state house in Nairobi, where he noted that he is the most accomplished president.
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According to a report by Tuko, he lightheartedly suggested that he is the most literate person to take office since the country’s independence.
“I’ve served as an MP for 15 years and as Deputy President for 10. I’m not too old, I’m young and capable. Kenya has never had a president who is also a PhD holder — and that’s me,” Ruto said.
He also revisited his presidential campaign narrative of being from humble beginnings.
Prior to taking office, William Ruto identified as a hustler, campaigning on the premise that his time at the grassroots level made him the perfect fit to address some of the country’s primary concerns.
During the meeting at the state house, William Ruto reiterated this sentiment, noting that his transition from chicken vendor to president makes him qualified to serve the people of Kenya.
“I was born and raised in the grassroots. I understand Kenya’s problems. There has never been a president with my level of education, knowledge, and experience. That’s why I must perform,” the president said.
“I have Jomo Kenyatta’s courage, Moi’s understanding, Kibaki’s education, and the development plan I shared with Uhuru. With that combination, I have no excuse but to transform the nation,” he added.
The president’s assertion is coming amid reports of public mistrust and very low political goodwill for his administration in the last few months.
Amidst protests in June, the president noted that his presidency is bigger than the 5-year-term limit.
Recent backlash against President William Ruto
The last few weeks saw old wounds reopened as protests rocked the streets of Kenya.
The protests picked up after the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody.
A protest calling for an inquiry into the suspicious demise of Albert Ojwang quickly turned to a protest calling for the resignation of the president.
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This pivot is largely due to the president’s reluctance to initially address the issue, only doing so after he had been called out repeatedly on social media.
Weeks later, Kenyans marched throughout 17-20 counties, including major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kisumu, and Kiambu, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the initial 1990 pro-democracy rallies.
Gen Z activists and youth-led networks drove these rallies, which demanded government accountability, economic fairness, an end to police violence, and President William Ruto’s resignation, citing discontent over corruption, unemployment, and apparent contempt for constitutional rights.
