Exposure of Neglect: Kenya Protests Shine Light on Ruto’s Jet-Setting Ways

Kenya’s President William Ruto has been a global voice for climate change, tech titans in Silicon Valley, and a global peacekeeper at the White House. However, his administration faces challenges such as debt, corruption, and security threats, leaving him severely weakened domestically. Critics argue that Ruto’s administration is fighting for survival, as Western powers risk losing the focus of one of their strongest allies in Africa, where they seek to counter the growing power of Russia and China.

Ruto has earned a reputation for a fierce work ethic but has struggled to shake an indictment by the International Criminal Court for his role in post-election violence in 2007-8 even after the court dropped the case. His administration has gone on 62 trips to 38 countries in his first 20 months in power, but when home, he has appeared tone deaf to complaints over the direction the country was taking.

Kenya’s relationship with the United States has deepened under Ruto’s presidency, but critics complain that mutual admiration has clouded Washington’s view on Kenya’s challenges. The relationship has helped attract foreign investors, particularly U.S.-based tech firms.

Boniface Mwangi, a prominent Kenyan social activist, said diplomatic statements of concern and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling Ruto after the violence were “too little too late” and Washington must now take a tougher line. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said the embassy in Nairobi had consistently called for restraint and the respect for constitutional rights.