On September 13, 2022, the President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua took their oaths of office, at Kasarani Stadium.
The historic day marked a triumphant moment for the Kenya Kwanza candidates who had cleared hurdles including a petition challenging their victory to assume power.
Ruto and Gachagua took their oaths to an enthusiastic acclamation from thousands of Kenyans (hustlers) that witnessed the ceremony, that also got the approval of the international community.
In his own words, the Deputy President asserted “freedom has come” implying that their ascension to power meant a new dawn for Kenya.
But the clock has been ticking and one year later, the deeds of the government formed by Ruto, and his deputy have been out there to be seen.
The Kenya Times looks at some of the gaffes that have exposed Ruto’s administration.
Decision to revoke recognition of Sahrawi
The dust at the Kasarani inauguration venue was yet to settle when the President announced a decision that could have a standing influence on Kenya’s foreign policy.
Hours after his inauguration, the President announced that Kenya would no longer recognize the existence of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
Sahrawi is a partially recognized country in Northwest Africa and has been engulfed in a long tussle with neighboring Morocco over its independence.
After a meeting with Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ruto vowed to initiate the process of ending diplomatic relations with Sahrawi.
If implemented, the move would make Kenya the only country member of the African Union to rescind Sahrawi’s existence- all these happening within the first 48 hours in office.
But it was the process followed to make the decision that left Kenyans talking. By then, President Ruto was yet to name his cabinet where such a move would have been sanctioned.
Also read: CS Nakhumicha Cornered on Live TV Over OCS Transfer Order
His announcement was met with a heated debate as Kenyans questioned the basis of the decision.
However, the tweet was deleted hours later amid a period of heated debate.
CS Mutua Announcement on Canada Jobs
Dr Alfred Mutua, the man picked to head Kenya’s Foreign Affairs docket was left with an egg on his face after Canada’s authorities debunked his announcement.
Mutua had gone public with information that Kenya had secured an agreement with Canada to facilitate movement of Kenyans to Canada for job opportunities.
However, his statement was followed by a warning from Canada warning Kenyans against falling for disinformation alluding to such arrangement.
“Disinformation is circulating which suggests that special programs are welcoming Kenyan immigrants. This is false, and the immigration programs referenced do not exist,” a statement from Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Department warned.
CS Nakhumicha Transfers OCS at Roadside Rally
In July 2023, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha made headlines after her announcement ordering the transfer of an Officer in Charge of a Station (OCS) in Matisi, Trans-Nzoia County.
Her announcement was in response to reports about insecurity in the region. According to Nakhumicha, her presence was enough to influence the transfer of the siad OCS.
“Interior CS Kithure Kindiki must not be physically present here to transfer an OCS. I am a CS in President William Ruto’s government and I hereby order that the County Commander ensures that Matisi OCS leaves by evening Sunday, July 30,” she stated.
The CS was out of order in issuing the roadside decree and overstepped her mandate, even though she was on her home soil, where she has political ambitions.
US official declines to meet Moses Kuria
After taking part in the campaigns for the election of President Ruto, Moses Kuria was appointed to lead the Ministry of Trade.
Whilst a section of Kenyans questioned his eligibility to hold the position some were confident that his experience in international banking and academic credentials would come in handy for the Kenya Kwanza regime.
His term as a CS, so far, has attracted more critics than admirers. In July 2023, his comments about Azimio’s protests attracted criticism after it emerged that a US official declined to meet him.
Also read: Why Ruto is at Will to Dump Mudavadi & Wetangula – Analysts
In her visit to Kenya, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai refused to meet Kuria and instead met a team comprising EAC CS Rebecca Miano and former Trade CS Adan Mohamed.
When asked about the reason she didn’t meet Kuria, Tai was non-committal and instead referred the journalist to the Kenyan government.
Worldcoin Confusion
The activities of global AI firm Worldcoin also exposed a moment where government officials issued contradicting statements.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and his ICT counterpart Eliud Owalo went public with contradicting statements about the registration process.
In his response to the growing concerns, CS Owalo affirmed that Worldcoin had secured clearance from relevant government agencies.
However, Kindiki in his reaction announced the suspension of the registration process that had attracted attention among Kenyans.
In his statement, Kindiki ordered investigations on the process despite the prior assurance by Owalo that Worldcoin had been cleared.
Cost of Living arrogance
The latest public outburst among top government officials over the spiking cost of living and what the state is doing to ease the situation further paints Ruto’s administration in a bad light.
DP Gachagua had to call out CS Kuria and Chief Economic Advisor at State House David Ndii over their arrogance in addressing Kenyans.
Ndii for instance, wondered why anyone in their right mind would believe the government, maintaining that more pain was on the way.
Kuria on his part, told off Kenyans over high fuel prices and asked those dissatisfied with what the government was doing to drill own oil wells at home.
Options for Ruto
All these, not to mention Gachaguas’ remarks on the controversial Shamba System and government being a company of shareholders, expose Ruto – a naked king.
The head of state has publicly reprimanded some of his Cabinet Secretaries for being clueless about their portfolios.
With one year already gone, it remains to be seen if Ruto will crack the whip and steady the ship or clutch to straws and sink.
