Since assuming office, President William Ruto has encountered widespread criticism from Kenyans, demanding his resignation amid rising socio-economic challenges. Analysts attribute the extraordinary public outrage to broken promises and rising discontent across the nation, marking a significant chapter in Kenya's political climate.
The Unprecedented Resentment Towards President Ruto: A Historical Perspective

The Unprecedented Resentment Towards President Ruto: A Historical Perspective
Kenya's President William Ruto is facing unparalleled public discontent that some analysts argue surpasses any previous leader in the nation's history, stirred by unmet promises and growing crises.
Kenya's President William Ruto, once celebrated with hope, now finds himself under the weight of unprecedented public discontent. Following just over a year in power, citizens have rallied against his administration, leading to mounting pressure unlike anything seen in the country’s past history. Ruto’s prior promises to transform the lives of ordinary Kenyans have fallen flat for many, triggering protests led by calls for his resignation.
Concerned by the overwhelming disapproval, Ruto openly questioned why past leaders, such as Daniel arap Moi and Uhuru Kenyatta, were not subject to similar outrage and assessments of their leadership, despite the political repression and tumult they imposed during their tenures. Yet the current wave of dissent—unifying individuals of various backgrounds against perceived governmental shortcomings—has led analysts to describe the public anger as "unprecedented" in its scope and intensity.
Protests erupted scarcely a year after Ruto took the presidential oath. Demonstrations intensified as citizens, plagued by soaring living costs and heightened taxation, echoed sentiments of "Ruto must go". During the 2022 election cycle, Ruto envisioned himself as the relatable candidate, a figure who emerged from humble beginnings, inspiring hope among Kenyans. However, the narrative shifted dramatically when dissatisfaction began echoing through social media and public forums, leading a newspaper to question if Ruto was "Kenya's most hated president."
Contrasting earlier political trends anchored in ethnic affiliations, current protests bring together citizens from diverse backgrounds, seemingly transcending traditional divisions. Nonetheless, the dynamic landscape of Twitter has seen the popular phrase "We are all Kikuyus," emerge, suggesting complex ties to ethnic patterns in the opposition against Ruto's leadership.
Despite the Kikuyu community's robust support during Ruto's campaign, criticisms emerged when his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, faced a divisive impeachment process, igniting allegations of disloyalty from within the region. Political analysts affirm that opposition to Ruto is multifaceted, spanning various ethnic communities rather than being strictly confined to tribal lines.
According to expert analysis, the current climate of turmoil surpasses even the political upheavals of the 1980s and 1990s, previously marked by intense oppression and battles for democracy. Different from those eras, the spread of information today empowers a digitally engaged youth, amplifying public dissent and facilitating campaigns outside conventional political structures. This amplification, driven chiefly by economic grievances, police brutality, and corruption, has spurred the current wave of protests.
Ruto's recent comments urging police to use less lethal measures during protests only fueled further public outrage. Thai sentiment is compounded by governmental crackdowns on dissent, resulting in significant casualties—a stark misery fueling ongoing protests nationwide.
Political communication expert Hesbon Owilla remarks on the disillusionment created by Ruto's unmet aspirations, with the divide between the president's promises and the prevailing realities provoking anger among a populace struggling against rising costs and stagnant wages. Ruto's attempts to highlight initiatives aimed at population upliftment face steep criticism amid raised taxes and a rising cost of living, compounding existing grievances.
As Ruto speaks on uniting Kenyans beyond ethnic lines, it appears the public is increasingly assessing their leaders against accountability to promises made. His presidency, which once sparked exhilaration among many, has turned to a landscape rife with dissatisfaction as Kenyans today grapple with unmet expectations and pressing economic realities. The hope of change that illuminated his campaign has, within a year, transformed into widespread frustration—an extraordinary shift marking a pivotal moment in Kenya’s political narrative.