Tag: William Ruto

  • Kenya’s William sacks all his ministers, AG following after anti-tax protests

    Kenya’s William sacks all his ministers, AG following after anti-tax protests

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has terminated the appointments of all his ministers and the attorney-general with immediate effect following recent deadly protests that led to the retraction of an unpopular tax bill. Ruto stated that the decision was made after “reflection, listening to Kenyans, and a thorough assessment of my cabinet.”

    He indicated plans to consult widely to form a broad-based government. The deputy president, who cannot legally be dismissed, and the prime cabinet secretary, who also serves as the foreign affairs minister, remain unaffected by the cabinet dissolution.

    President Ruto assured that government functions would continue seamlessly under the management of senior civil servants. He also mentioned that he would consult “across different sectors and political groups, as well as with other Kenyans in both the public and private sectors” to establish a new government, but did not specify a timeline for the announcement.

    The dramatic move is highly unusual, coming less than two years after he took office.

    Three of the sacked ministers were MPs before leaving their legislative roles to join the cabinet barely two years ago.
    One of them is Aden Duale, who in a prompt post on X (formerly Twitter) thanked the president and said he would “forever be indebted to him and the people of Kenya for this opportunity to serve” as Kenya’s defence minister.

    Last Thursday, President Ruto chaired a cabinet meeting, which one of the local newspapers described as the “last supper” for the ministers.

    Several ministers were implicated in corruption scandals, resulting in the suspension of senior officials within various ministries. However, President Ruto defended the ministers, stating there was no evidence to warrant their dismissal.

    In October, President Ruto carried out a minor cabinet reshuffle, affecting at least eight ministers. The last instance of a complete cabinet dissolution was in 2005 when President Mwai Kibaki did so after losing a referendum on a new constitution.

    Ruto has faced mounting pressure from Kenyans, who have continued to hold anti-government protests, demanding greater accountability. Despite agreeing to retract his controversial tax hikes, some protesters have called for his resignation.

    In response to public outcry, Ruto announced several austerity measures across government agencies last week. He also imposed a freeze on proposed salary increases for cabinet members and parliamentarians.

  • More borrowing for Kenya after taxes withdrawal – President William Ruto

    More borrowing for Kenya after taxes withdrawal – President William Ruto

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has announced that additional borrowing will be necessary to sustain government operations after a finance bill, aimed at increasing tax revenue, was rejected due to widespread public opposition.

    Last Wednesday, the president responded to violent protests, including the burning of parliament, by withdrawing the contentious bill proposing tax hikes.

    However, he lamented on Sunday that this decision had effectively set the country’s economic progress back by two years.

    He emphasized the challenge of managing a substantial national debt without the ability to implement additional tax measures.

    He said this meant Kenya would have to borrow one trillion shillings ($7.6bn; £6.1bn) just “to be able to run our government”.

    This represents a 67% increase from the initial plan.

    Additionally, he indicated a contemplation of reducing expenditures across various government sectors, including his own office, as well as decreasing allocations to the judiciary and county governments.

    Many demonstrators opposed the tax hikes, arguing that any additional revenue would be misused.

    The intended tax adjustments aimed to generate approximately 350 billion Kenyan shillings, while borrowing was projected to reach about 600 billion.

    President Ruto underscored that these tax proposals were part of a strategy to alleviate Kenya’s substantial debt burden, which exceeds $80 billion (£63 billion). Approximately 60% of the country’s revenue is currently allocated to servicing this debt.

    “I have been working very hard to pull Kenya out of a debt trap… It is easy for us, as a country, to say: ‘Let us reject the finance bill.’ That is fine. And I have graciously said we will drop the finance bill, but it will have huge consequences,” the president said while speaking to journalists on Sunday night.

    Mr. Ruto expressed concerns that the budget’s rejection would impact 46,000 junior secondary school teachers on temporary contracts and affect healthcare services. He noted that planned government support for dairy, sugarcane, and coffee farmers, including debt payments to their factories and cooperative societies, would be affected.

    Addressing criticisms of the finance bill, Mr. Ruto mentioned considering cost-cutting measures in his office and potentially eliminating budgets for the First Lady and the Deputy President’s spouse.

    Despite withdrawing the finance bill, public discontent persists, with further protests scheduled for the coming week. Demonstrators are demanding greater government accountability, with some calling for the president’s resignation. They also accuse the government of being insensitive to their grievances and criticize the police for their harsh response to the protests, which resulted in at least 23 deaths and numerous injuries, as reported by a doctors’ association.

    On Sunday the president said the police had “done their best they could”.
    “If there are any excesses, we have mechanisms to make sure that [they] are dealt with,” he said.

  • It is cheaper to use the Private jet – William Ruto

    It is cheaper to use the Private jet – William Ruto

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has faced widespread criticism for claiming that the private jet he used for his recent trip to the US was cheaper than flying with the national airline.

    However, he did not disclose the cost of the private jet or the potential cost of flying on Kenya Airways.

    Political analyst Prof Herman Manyora told the BBC that “the facts that are out in the public do not seem to bear him out.”

    Senior opposition figure Eugene Wamalwa told local media that the president’s remarks were “unpatriotic” and argued that he should have used the opportunity to promote Kenya Airways instead.

    President Ruto visited the US on a three-day official state visit, the first such trip by an African leader in over 15 years. During his visit, Kenya secured several investment deals worth billions of dollars.

    Additionally, the US designated Kenya as a major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally, strengthening its position as one of the US’s closest security partners in Africa.

    But the use of a luxury jet for the US trip has continued to spark criticism, prompting the president to respond.

    On Sunday, a day after returning to the country, Mr Ruto defended himself as a “steward of public resources”.

    “In keeping with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in so doing, the cost was less than travelling on [Kenya Airways],” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

    Kenya Airways has not commented regarding the cost.

    But it has dismissed as fake a widely circulated statement that purports to show that using the airline would have been cheaper for the president.

    Despite his explanation, many Kenyans have criticised the president.

    Mr Manyora says the president should have explained himself better, to persuade people that it was right to use a private jet.

    He said the president should have “considered people’s perceptions” and explained the benefits of using a chartered plane, including flexibility, class and security.

    “I would have expected that kind of explanation, not one that leaves people wondering,” he said.

    On social media some criticised the president for using an airline owned by another country.

    “It is a shame as a country if the president can’t use our national airlines, Kenya Airways, because it is expensive,” said Alinur Mohamed.

    Calculating the total cost of business class tickets for the president and his delegation, local media report this would have been far cheaper than hiring a jet.

    The president used a Dubai-owned RoyalJet company to travel to the US, along with an entourage of about 30 people.

    Hiring such a jet is reported to cost $1.5m (£1.2m) versus the $300,000 estimated cost for business-class tickets on Kenya Airways for the entire delegation.

    But Mr Ruto told US broadcaster Voice Of America (VOA) over the weekend that the estimated cost of his trip was “completely exaggerated”.

    He did not respond to a direct question about how much it cost, but said the amounts being “bandied around are ridiculous”.

    “I’m careful about the resources that I spend,” he added.

    Last week, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura told the BBC that the “benefits from this visit far outweigh” the costs, without confirming the sums involved.

    The row comes amid concerns by critics that taxpayers’ money has been used to fund extravagance in government while taxes have been raised on the basis that the state needs extra funding.

    Mr Ruto has made more than 50 visits abroad since he became president in 2022 – averaging more than three a month.

    The government has defended the trips as necessary – while pointing to recent directives to cut spending.

  • “Akufo-Addo is just a dirty boy” – NDC man reacts to president dropping peels on the floor

    “Akufo-Addo is just a dirty boy” – NDC man reacts to president dropping peels on the floor

    A tweet by X (formerly Twitter) user @AnnanPerry showcases a diplomatic engagement between Akufo-Addo and President William Ruto of Kenya in Accra, Ghana.

    During the meeting, Akufo-Addo hosted President Ruto, where they engaged in discussions and signed seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at bolstering bilateral relations between their countries.

    In the tweet, Akufo-Addo is seen peeling something that appears like a nut and dropping the peels on the floor after shaking hands with Mr. Ruto.

    In response to this, another X user, whose bio suggests they are a youth activist and potentially an NDC supporter, criticised the president, referring to him as a “dirty boy” for littering around.

    “Akufo Addo is just a dirty boy!!! See him littering around,” the caption of the tweet read.

  • Kenyan President set to address nation amid flood crisis

    Kenyan President set to address nation amid flood crisis


    Kenya’s President William Ruto is set to address the nation amid increasing pressure to declare the ongoing heavy floods a national disaster.

    The announcement was made by State House spokesman Hussein Mohamed, though specifics about the address scheduled for Friday were not provided.

    President Ruto is anticipated to discuss the persistent heavy rains, which have claimed the lives of at least 188 individuals since March and displaced hundreds of thousands.

    This address follows a cabinet warning indicating the likelihood of a cyclone hitting the coastal region, bringing heavy rainfall, large waves, and strong winds that could disrupt activities in the Indian Ocean.

    During its second meeting this week, the cabinet also forecasted continued above-average rainfall across the country.

    To mitigate risks, the government has instructed residents near 178 dams and reservoirs to evacuate immediately or face compulsory relocation to safer areas.

    Opposition leader Raila Odinga has urged the president to declare the floods a national disaster to facilitate international assistance.

    In neighboring Tanzania, where flooding and landslides have claimed the lives of at least 155 people, there is also concern about the impact of Cyclone Hidaya.

  • “Kenya may face its first-ever cyclone” – William Ruto reveals

    “Kenya may face its first-ever cyclone” – William Ruto reveals


    President William Ruto has warned Kenyan citizens in a national address that the country may encounter its first-ever cyclone, amidst ongoing deadly flooding and landslides impacting hundreds of thousands of people.

    According to officials, the death toll in Kenya has surpassed 200 since March, with an additional 90 individuals reported missing. Furthermore, Tanzania has reported 155 fatalities, while Burundi has recorded 29 deaths.

    Addressing the nation on Friday, President Ruto noted that every part of the country had been affected by the “devastation” and cautioned that the situation was anticipated to deteriorate in the coming days due to the onset of more severe weather conditions.

    “This cyclone, named Hidaya, could hit any time and is predicted to cause torrential rain, strong winds and powerful and dangerous waves which could potentially disrupt marine activities in the Indian Ocean and settlements along the Kenyan coast,” he said.

    “Our country must act decisively and swiftly to mitigate the devastating impacts of the present crisis and protect life and property.”

    President Ruto has also ordered that all schools be closed indefinitely following the heavy rains.

  • William Ruto appoints first woman, Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed to head air force in Kenya

    William Ruto appoints first woman, Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed to head air force in Kenya

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has appointed Maj Gen Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed as the air force’s first female commander on Thursday.

    This decision follows a tragic helicopter crash last month, which claimed the lives of the military chief and others, necessitating new leadership.

    In addition to Maj Gen Ahmed’s appointment, other leaders were named, including a new head of the armed forces. Gen Charles Kahariri was promoted to fill the vacancy left by the late military chief.

    Maj Gen Ahmed’s journey to this esteemed position has broken gender barriers throughout her career, marking her as the first woman to attain the ranks of brigadier and major general in a male-dominated military leadership.

    Her military career commenced in 1983 when she enlisted in the Women Service Corps, a separate entity from the main military services, focusing on support duties such as administration, logistics, medical, and communication. With the unit’s disbandment in 1999, women were integrated into the main military services, opening up further opportunities for their advancement.

    During Maj Gen Ahmed’s promotion to major general in 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta highlighted her role as a positive role model for women nationwide, urging her to demonstrate that there are no limits for women in any profession.

    Maj Gen Ahmed’s determination to succeed despite familial discouragement reflects her resilience and dedication to effecting change. Inspired by her uncle’s military career, she embraced discipline and hard work values that have shaped her life since childhood.

    Her ascent through the military ranks underscores progress towards gender equality in the armed forces, offering an inspiring model for women throughout the country.

  • Kenya’s President Ruto visits Nkrumah Mausoleum during state visit

    Kenya’s President Ruto visits Nkrumah Mausoleum during state visit

    Kenyan President William Ruto, accompanied by First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary for Diaspora and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, visited the Kwame Nkrumah Museum and Mausoleum in Accra on Thursday, marking the final day of President Ruto’s State Visit to Ghana.

    Also present were Deputy Chief of Staff and Deputy Head of Public Service Josphat Nanok and Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who were part of the President’s entourage.

    President William Ruto lays a wreath at the Kwame Nkrumah Museum and Mausoleum in Accra on the final day of his State Visit to Ghana, April 4, 2024.
    Image: PCS

    During the visit, President Ruto laid a wreath at the Mausoleum as a gesture of respect to Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President.

    President William Ruto pays respects at the Kwame Nkrumah Museum and Mausoleum in Accra on the final day of his State Visit to Ghana, April 4, 2024.
    Image: PCS
    President William Ruto accompanied by First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto is taken through by a guide at the Kwame Nkrumah Museum and Mausoleum in Accra on the final day of his State Visit to Ghana, April 4, 2024.
    Image: PCS

  • Ruto, Tinubu under fire for ‘excessive’ travels

    Ruto, Tinubu under fire for ‘excessive’ travels

    Kenya’s William Ruto and Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu have been criticized for traveling abroad a lot since they became presidents.

    The two men have been described in a bad way – it’s said that they spend a lot of money on flying, which is a problem when the economy is not doing well at home.

    The Standard, a newspaper in Kenya, gave Mr. Ruto the nickname “Flying President”. It means that he loves flying so much that he always wants to do it, even if he has a lot of other important things to take care of.

    Last month, Mr. Tinubu went to Europe again, and Nigeria’s opposition leader Atiku Abubakar said on social media that Nigeria doesn’t need a “tourist-in-chief. ” He didn’t like that the president went on a private trip when there are a lot of problems in Nigeria.

    This can be seen as a quick and easy criticism that anyone can make. Presidents have to go to meetings with other leaders and build good relationships with other countries. This is important for diplomatic and economic reasons because it can lead to profitable investment deals.

    But some people have noticed that late Tanzanian President John Magufuli did not travel outside of Africa during his six years as president.

    “Personal praise”

    Kenyan foreign policy expert Prof Macharia Munene agrees that some trips are needed, but thinks that others are a waste of money.

    Some presidents really enjoy flying in planes. He said that some of these trips are more about showing off themselves than benefiting the country.

    Mr Ruto and Mr. Tinubu, along with their representatives, say that their trips are important for solving the problems they are being criticized for not addressing.

    In the eight months since Mr. Tinubu became president, he has taken 14 trips, which is less than two trips each month. Meanwhile, Ruto has made about 50 trips since he became president in 2022, which is more than three trips each month.

    Mr Ruto’s predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, usually took about one foreign trip per month during his ten years as president. This is similar to the behavior of Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari. However, when it comes to the total number of days spent abroad, the difference is not very big.

    Other leaders from different countries have also been traveling a lot by air, but people keep asking if Mr. Ruto and Mr. Tinubu really need to take so many trips.

    The leaders of Nigeria and Kenya were both in Europe at the end of last month. Ruto was in Italy for a summit and Mr. Tinubu was in France for a private visit, his third time there since last May. Since that time, Mr. Ruto has gone on more trips.

    In June 2023, only three weeks after starting his new job, Mr Tinubu went to Paris for a two-day meeting about the climate. He had already visited there a few months ago to take a break and make plans for the time after he became president.

    He went from Paris to the UK to have private discussions with the person who had the job before him. They both went to “rest” after the elections. A week later, Mr. Tinubu went to Guinea-Bissau for a meeting with other countries in West Africa. After that, he went to Nairobi.

    In August he went to Benin, and in September he went to India, the United Arab Emirates, and the US for a meeting of the United Nations before going back to Paris.

    He was at home all through October and then started traveling again in November. He went to Saudi Arabia, Guinea-Bissau, and Germany at the end of November, and a week later he went to Dubai.

    The Nigerian president’s office said that these trips are necessary to bring in money from other countries.

    “Every time I travel to another country, I always tell investors and business people the same thing. ” Nigeria is prepared and available for doing business,” President Tinubu said in his New Year message for 2024.

    Mr Ruto has been very busy traveling since he became president in 2022.

    From September of that year to December of last year, he went to other countries at least two times every month. In May 2023, he took five journeys. He has visited many African countries, Europe and the US for international events and meetings with other countries.

    This year in January, he visited Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Italy. This month, Mr Ruto has already visited Japan and the UAE.

    Frequency and cost are both important factors to consider.

    According to the Nigerian newspaper Punch, Mr Tinubu spent at least 3. 4 billion naira on travel in the first six months of his presidency. This is 36% more than the budgeted amount for 2023. The information comes from GovSpend, a civic tech platform that monitors government spending.

    In Kenya, the Controller of Budget, which is a separate office that watches over how the government spends money, reported that the president’s travel spending went up a lot in the year until last July. This included nine months when Mr. Ruto was president.

    Total spending on travel, both within the country and abroad, was over 1. 3 billion Kenyan shillings ($9. 2 million; £73 million) for the year. This was more than 30% higher than the travel budget for the previous year.

    The person who speaks for the government of Kenya did not answer the BBC’s questions about Mr. Ruto’s trips, even though the president and the spokesman have said they are okay.

    Mr Ruto said he doesn’t travel for fun. He goes on these trips to bring in money from other countries and to find jobs for Kenyans living abroad. He mentioned that he has found over 300,000 job opportunities through his talks with other countries.

    After the recent visit to Japan, Mr Ruto said he had made agreements worth more than $2. 3 billion

    Nigeria and Kenya are defending the benefits of presidential trips while also responding to criticism of government employees traveling overseas.

    Kenya has reduced its government worker travel budget by half after being accused of wasting money on trips within the country and abroad. However, the president himself does not seem to be affected by this and has said he will continue to take trips as long as they are helpful.

    Last month, the leader of Nigeria said that he will be cutting back on the number of people who travel with him for official purposes by about 60%. His spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said the president will reduce the number of people he travels with, but it’s not clear if he will also reduce the number of trips he takes.

    However, it’s not only Kenya and Nigeria that have been worried about the cost of traveling.

    As people in Congo were getting ready to vote last year, some people said that President Félix Tshisekedi took too many trips and didn’t have much to show for them.

    In November, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera stopped himself and his ministers from traveling outside the country. He also told anyone who was already abroad to come back because the country was having money problems.

    Other countries, like Uganda, The Gambia, Namibia, and Sierra Leone, have also needed to deal with government officials spending money on travel since last year. The leaders of Namibia and Sierra Leone have been called the “flying president” by local newspapers, similar to Kenya’s Mr. Ruto

  • Kenya announces visa-free entry for global visitors starting January 2024

    Kenya announces visa-free entry for global visitors starting January 2024

    In a significant development, Kenya has unveiled plans to eliminate visa requirements for visitors worldwide, effective from January 2024.

    President William Ruto made this groundbreaking announcement on December 12, with the aim of bolstering tourism and fostering international connections.

    This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to streamline entry procedures through a newly established digital platform.

    President Ruto highlighted that the innovative platform would facilitate the issuance of electronic travel authorization, eliminating the cumbersome visa application process.

    Speaking at an event in Nairobi commemorating Kenya’s 60 years of independence, President Ruto expressed his commitment to simplifying travel and declared that individuals globally would no longer need a visa to visit Kenya.

    This visionary decision aligns with President Ruto’s longstanding advocacy for visa-free travel within the African continent.

    The president had previously outlined his vision for visa exemptions at a conference in the Republic of Congo in October, where he announced that citizens of African countries would enjoy visa-free access to Kenya by the end of 2023.

    This move reflects a broader effort to enhance regional cooperation and strengthen ties among African nations.

    Given Kenya’s reliance on tourism as a key economic driver, renowned for its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture, the decision to waive visa requirements aims to attract more international visitors.

    This move provides an opportunity for travelers to explore the country’s picturesque Indian Ocean coastline and engage in thrilling wildlife safaris.

    President Ruto extended the nation’s hospitality by declaring, “Kenya has a simple message to humanity: Welcome Home!” 

    This sentiment stresses the country’s commitment to fostering an open and inclusive environment for global travelers, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s efforts to position itself as a top destination for tourism and cultural exchange.

  • Kenya grapples with flash floods, roads cut off, rescues underway

    Kenya grapples with flash floods, roads cut off, rescues underway

    Recent flash floods have struck parts of Kenya, resulting in road closures and submerged vehicles.

    In Mombasa, a coastal city, roads in a section of the city were severed by floodwaters, compelling many motorists to abandon their cars and resort to motorbikes to reach the airport and train station on Friday.

    In northern Kenya’s Isiolo County, locals are engaged in a search for a young man who was swept away by floods while riding a motorbike on Thursday.

    Additionally, the conservation organization Save the Elephants executed a daring rescue mission, saving eight individuals from a sinking lorry on Thursday after they became trapped in floodwaters.

    This is not the first instance of a conservation group intervening to save people from floods in Kenya. Earlier this year, The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust used their helicopter to rescue a stranded driver.

    The Kenyan meteorological department had previously issued warnings of potential El Niño rains, anticipated to affect Kenya and other East African nations from mid-October, potentially leading to flooding, infrastructure damage, and loss of life.

    Additionally, neighboring Tanzania and Somalia have also witnessed heavy rains in recent days.

    However, on October 22, Kenyan President William Ruto stirred controversy by asserting that the country would not experience El Niño, a natural weather phenomenon, contrary to earlier predictions.

    “The meteorological department has now said there will be no El Niño. We will only have heavy rains but they will not reach a destructive level,” Mr Ruto said.

    As well as causing changes to rainfall, global temperatures typically increase during an El Niño episode.

  • Kenya to become visa-free to Africans by the end of 2023- Kenyan President

    Kenya to become visa-free to Africans by the end of 2023- Kenyan President

    Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that, by the end of 2023, Africans will no longer need visas to visit Kenya. This move reflects a commitment to enhancing regional integration and facilitating travel within the African continent. It aims to promote tourism, trade, and cooperation among African nations.

    Addressing an audience in Congo-Brazzaville, Mr. Ruto says it is bad for business: “When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers.”

    Therefore, he announced that “by the end of this year [2023], no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya. Our children from this continent should not be locked in borders in Europe and also be locked in borders in Africa”.

  • Kenyan president downgrades El Nio warning, citing met office

    Kenyan president downgrades El Nio warning, citing met office

    The Kenyan President, William Ruto, said that the country will not have heavy rainfall called El Niño, which was predicted. He mentioned that this was according to a forecast made by Kenya’s weather department.

    The weather department has announced that there will not be an El Niño. Ruto said on Sunday that we will have strong rains, but they will not become very destructive.

    He encouraged Kenyans to take advantage of the prediction of lots of rain and grow more food to make sure the country has enough to eat.

    El Niño is a weather event that happens when the ocean water in the eastern Pacific gets warmer than usual by about 0. 5C This ultimately makes the air become wetter and warmer by releasing more heat into the atmosphere.

    Experts had said that Kenya and other East African countries could get a lot of rain because of El Niño starting in mid-October.

    The government of Kenya is warning that heavy rain could cause flooding, damage to buildings, and potentially lead to deaths. As a precaution, the military has been put on standby to help in case of any emergencies.

    Kenya had heavy El Niño rains in 1997 that caused a lot of damage, particularly to the roads.

  • Kenyan president approves controversial health care bill

    Kenyan president approves controversial health care bill

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has given his approval to a contentious healthcare reform, marking the most significant transformation of the country’s health sector in over two decades.

    The reform aims to promote universal healthcare and necessitates a 2.75% monthly salary deduction from all employees to fund a new health fund.

    The government asserts this will enhance healthcare affordability and accessibility for less privileged Kenyans.

    However, many Kenyan citizens view it as a burdensome tax and part of a series of measures exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis, despite President Ruto’s election promise to alleviate financial challenges for families.

    Concerns also exist regarding potential corruption within the new healthcare fund, as with the existing one, hindering access to entitled health services.

    Despite public opposition, parliament has passed the Social Health Insurance Bill and three other health bills to support President Ruto’s initiative, replacing the National Health Insurance Fund with a new fund that increases minimum contributions and requires most salaried workers to contribute a higher portion of their income.

    Kenya’s Health Minister, Susan Nakhumicha, defends the new plan, asserting that it offers a fairer system in which Kenyans contribute based on their income. She highlights that the current system burdens lower earners with a higher percentage of their income compared to wealthier individuals. Employers, mandated to match their employees’ contributions, oppose the 2.75% deduction, contending that it will negatively impact businesses and exacerbate the existing cost-of-living crisis, which triggered widespread protests earlier this year.

    The Finance Act, signed by President Ruto in June, introduced a 1.5% housing levy, another unpopular measure aimed at financing affordable housing during a time when housing prices have surged beyond the means of many urban Kenyans.

    Several health and civil society organizations criticize the health plan, citing the significant 2.75% deduction in the context of rising fuel prices and living costs. The Kenya Faith Based Health Services Consortium, for example, argues that this rate disproportionately affects salaried citizens who support large households and various services.

    Under the new system, Kenyans must register with the proposed National Social Health Insurance Fund to access public health services. Failure to enroll will result in service denial. For Kenyans unable to contribute to the fund, the government has allocated 26 billion shillings to provide assistance.

    The replacement of the current NHIF with the new fund raises concerns about the potential for increased corruption despite greater financial resources. Critics also worry that the new social healthcare body may allocate a significant portion of collected funds to administrative expenses, leaving limited resources for direct healthcare costs.

  • Proposal to extend Kenya’s presidential term causes a stir

    Proposal to extend Kenya’s presidential term causes a stir

    Kenya’s governing coalition senator’s proposal to increase the presidential term limit from the existing five to seven years has sparked strong reactions across the nation.

    President William Ruto, who has only been in power for approximately a year, may not have enough time to deliver his campaign platform, according to Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.

    The opposition has accused the government of attempting to eliminate presidential term limits, which has infuriated a segment of Kenyans.

    “On the contrary, it should be reduced to four years one term each for the next six elections. This is the only sure way to bring national cohesion and to prevent vested interests from entrenching themselves, thus allowing constitutionalism to be fully established,” an X user posted.

    “If any leader cannot deliver in a period of 10 years, what is the need for adding four more?” another user wondered.

    A proposal to abolish presidential term limits in the nation was made by a different UDA lawmaker in November of last year, but President Ruto rejected it.

    In Kenya, the presidential term limit is established at two, and any modification would need to be approved by referendum.

  • Kenya’s Ruto pondering over visa-free travel

    Kenya’s Ruto pondering over visa-free travel

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has announced that the country is actively exploring the possibility of eliminating visa requirements within the coming months.

    President Ruto emphasized that Kenya, being the cradle of humankind, finds it unjust to impose visa requirements on visitors, considering that they are essentially returning to their ancestral home.

    “A few kilometres from where you are seated, scientists discovered and located the earliest remains of man on earth. In other words, this is where humanity began. Therefore, allow me to welcome you home. In a few months, we are seriously considering abolishing any visa requirement because it is unfair to ask anybody coming home for visa,” Mr Ruto said on Monday.

    He made the comment while opening the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi to African and international leaders and delegates.

    Since taking office as President in September 2022, Mr. Ruto has already lifted visa requirements for several nations, including Eritrea, Djibouti, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia.

    President Ruto has previously announced his administration’s intention to eventually eliminate visa requirements for all countries within the African Union.

  • Kenya considering traveling without visa – Ruto

    Kenya considering traveling without visa – Ruto

    Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has expressed interest in getting rid of the need for visas in the country.

    Mr Ruto said that Kenya was where humans first started, so it wasn’t right to make visitors get visas because they were returning to their “home”.

    Not far from where you are right now, scientists found and marked the oldest human remains ever discovered. Basically, this is where humans first started. So, let me greet you and say welcome back to your home. We are thinking about getting rid of the need for visas in a few months. Asking people to have visas when they come back home is not fair. Ruto said this on Monday at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, where African and international leaders and delegates were gathered.

    Since Ruto became president in September 2022, he has removed visa restrictions for some countries like Eritrea, Djibouti, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Indonesia.

    President Ruto said before that he wants to remove the rules that make it hard for people from all countries in the African Union to visit.

  • Fuel subsidy restored  in Kenya after months of violent protests

    Fuel subsidy restored in Kenya after months of violent protests

    Kenya has reinstated a small subsidy to stabilise retail fuel prices for the next 30 days, the energy regulator says, in a reversal of government policy after public anger over the high cost of living.

    After taking office in September, President William Ruto removed fuel and maize flour subsidies put in place by his predecessor, saying he preferred subsidising production rather than consumption.

    The move was also aimed at cutting government spending as the government seeks to get a handle on debt repayments that have forced it to deny market speculation about a possible default.

    But the subsidy cuts as well as recent tax hikes have increased living costs and contributed to violent anti-government protests in recent months.

    The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said late on Monday that the maximum retail price of a litre (0.26gal) of petrol would remain constant at 194.68 shillings ($1.35), shielding consumers from an increase of 7.33 shillings ($0.05), which the government will shoulder through a price stabilisation fund.

    Retail fuel prices are set in the middle of each month. The government also applied small subsidies on kerosene and diesel, EPRA said.

    The regulator did not provide an explanation for the government’s decision. Officials from EPRA, the Ministry of Energy, and the National Treasury and Economic Planning did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    Fuel prices shot up when Ruto removed the subsidies. They spiked again in July after the government pushed a contentious law through parliament that doubled the fuel tax.

    The protests organised in response to that law were called off last month after the opposition and Ruto agreed to talks to resolve their differences, the second such attempt this year.

    Both sides agreed that opposition to a financial bill signed into law in June “should be decided in court”, where it is being challenged by the opposition. In July, an appeals court lifted a suspension placed on a law that would double the value-added tax on fuel and introduce a new housing levy.

  • William Ruto condemns coup in Niger

    William Ruto condemns coup in Niger

    On Friday, President William Ruto of Kenya joined global leaders in condemning the coup orchestrated by the Nigerien presidential guards and called for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum.

    Speaking from Mombasa State House in a brief video message, the Kenyan leader expressed disapproval of the actions taken by the West African nation’s guards to overthrow a democratically elected government, undermining the will of the people. Notably, the guards have received support from the country’s army while still holding President Bazoum in detention.

    President Ruto extended Kenya’s offer of assistance in resolving the conflict. The elite guard has effectively barricaded access to President Bazoum’s residence and offices in the capital city of Niamey. These actions came after negotiations with representatives from the regional bloc Ecowas failed. Additionally, the guards have imposed closures on the country’s airspace and borders.

    “The resurgence of military coups and attempts to subvert the will of the people on our beloved continent demands a united and global response to hold those responsible accountable for their actions,” said President Ruto.

    “The Republic of Kenya joins the rest of the world to condemn in the strongest terms this unconstitutional act that subverts democracy through a Coup d’etat and calls for the immediate release of President Mohammed Bazoum who is reportedly seized by members of the presidential guard,” demanded Ruto.

    He extended an olive branch to help find lasting peace.

    “Kenya is willing to assist in resolving the conflict under the auspices of the AU should it be deemed appropriate. Africa continues to shine as a beckon of hope and progress and we shall never waive in our pursuit of a brighter future for all,” he committed.

    The coup in Niger is the latest manifestation of a troubling trend in West Africa. Over the past two years, elected presidents in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso have also been overthrown in separate incidents. In response, the African Union has followed its customary practice of suspending these countries. Sudan has also faced turmoil, with a recent outbreak of war following the overthrow of a transitional civilian government in October 2021. This was followed by a split in security forces regarding the country’s transition.

    Kenya’s leader acknowledges that Niger’s incident adds to Africa’s setback in its democratic progress, as the aspirations for democratic governance by its people were undermined by a change of government through unconstitutional means.

    Throughout the continent’s history, efforts have been made to uphold democratic principles and align with the African people’s desire for freedom and self-determination, as expressed by Ruto, the Kenyan leader.

    The African Union has had a policy since 2007 to denounce unconstitutional changes in government, leading to the immediate suspension of countries where such actions occur, whether by the military or politicians taking control illegally. However, critics argue that the prevalence of coups may also be influenced by external interference from world powers and the failure to establish strong and trustworthy institutions that can safeguard the interests of the people.

    As emphasized by Ruto, the African Union’s fundamental norm is enshrined in Article 4 (p) of the Constitutive Act, which unambiguously condemns and rejects any unconstitutional change of government.

    In light of these developments, a swift restoration of constitutional rule is called for, prioritizing the protection of the population and the re-establishment of full civilian authority, while also respecting the country’s institutions to the utmost.

  • President Ruto to meet Odinga amid tension in Kenya

    President Ruto to meet Odinga amid tension in Kenya

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has expressed his willingness to meet with opposition leader Raila Odinga in the wake of the ongoing cost-of-living protests that have led to dozens of fatalities.

    Mr. Odinga has been at the forefront of these demonstrations, urging the government to take measures to reduce taxes and alleviate the burden of other price increases.

    In response to the escalating situation, President Ruto has indicated his readiness for a meeting with Mr. Odinga to address the pressing concerns raised by the protesters.

    “My friend @RailaOdinga, I am off to Tanzania for a human capital meeting to harmonise the expansion of employment opportunities in our continent. I’m back [on Wednesday] evening, and as you have always known, I’m available to meet one on one with you anytime at your convenience,” he tweeted.


    Following a media briefing by Mr. Odinga, where he asserted that President Ruto had turned down an offer by the Tanzanian president to mediate between the government and the opposition, President Ruto has expressed his readiness to meet with the opposition leader amid the ongoing cost-of-living protests that have resulted in numerous casualties.

    Mr. Odinga has strongly criticized the police for their harsh treatment of the protesters and has called for vigils on Wednesday to honor those who lost their lives during the demonstrations.

  • Kenyan press calls for a truce amid civil war

    Kenyan press calls for a truce amid civil war

    Leading Kenyan publications have urged the country’s president, William Ruto, and the head of the opposition, Raila Odinga, “to consider if they want any more blood on their individual hands” as protests against recent tax rises enter their second day in the nation.

    Six people were reportedly murdered on Wednesday after clashes between Kenyan police and protesters, according to local media.

    In a joint editorial today, The Standard, Daily Nation, The Star and People Daily said Kenya “stands on the precipice”.

    “Unless reason prevails, we could all very well tumble down into a dark and dangerous abyss from which it could be almost impossible to extricate ourselves,” the editorial said.

    It added that Mr Ruto and Mr Odinga have the “greatest responsibility to put out the fire before it spreads out of control”.

    The newspapers issued a warning stating that Kenya was susceptible to experiencing civil wars similar to those witnessed in neighboring countries in the past. They cautioned that the nation could potentially descend into “full-scale genocide.”

    In light of ongoing protests, the press emphasized the importance of responsible demonstrations and urged the police to refrain from using excessive force against protesters.

    Furthermore, some Kenyans on social media called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take notice of alleged human rights violations committed by security forces during the protests.

    In response to recent events, the Media Council of Kenya condemned cases where police officers disguised themselves as journalists to arrest protesters. The media watchdog expressed concern that such incidents put journalists at risk while carrying out their duties.

  • We are demanding equality in international system, not charity – African leaders

    We are demanding equality in international system, not charity – African leaders

    African leaders has initiated the mid-year African Union summit, focusing on economic integration and urging international financial system reforms.

    Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohamed, highlighted Africa’s disproportionate suffering amidst the ongoing global crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Unmet commitments by the international community to financing climate action and inadequate humanitarian responses, have further aggravated the obstacles to the efforts made by Africa and its leaders, to implement Agenda 2063,” she said.

    Amina Mohamed stated that the UN supports African leaders’ plea for more resources allocated to their economies through the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an institution criticized by various African leaders.

    Kenyan President, William Ruto, alongside other leaders, called for reforms within the World Bank and IMF. He emphasized the unfairness of the global debt system, which burdens African countries with payment obligations eight times higher than wealthier nations due to perceived risks.

    ”We are not asking for charity. We must have equality in the international system,” Ruto said.

  • President Ruto declares end to six year ban on logging

    President Ruto declares end to six year ban on logging

    President of Kenya, William Ruto has decided to lift the six-year ban on logging that was imposed.

    The president expressed that this decision was long overdue, while he emphasized on the importance of job creation and economic growth in sectors reliant on forest products.

    The initial ban was implemented in 2018 due to concerns surrounding the environmental impact and contribution to climate change caused by logging activities.

    However, during a speech in Molo, in the Rift Valley region, President Ruto defended the lifting of the ban, referring to the previous moratorium on logging as a misguided approach.

    “Trees are decaying in the forest while people are struggling to get timber. Do you see the foolishness?” he asked.

    According to him, in the recent budget, the government had implemented taxes on the importation of timber and furniture to promote local production by the Kenyan people.

    The ban on logging has had adverse effects on certain regions, as many individuals relied on logging as their means of livelihood.

    The decision to lift the ban aligns with the government’s ongoing initiative to plant 15 billion trees within a decade in order to enhance the country’s tree cover.

  • Kenya wants to be part of the solution rather than seeking help – William Ruto says

    The President of Kenya stated on Thursday that he had come to the Paris climate summit “not to ask for help” from the wealthy nations, but rather to see that developing nations could “take part in the solution” if the global financial system was changed.

    “The current financial architecture is unfair, punitive and inequitable”, said William Ruto.

    “The countries of the South pay up to eight times more interest than developed countries because they are considered risky”, said the Kenyan president, who wants to attract private investment rather than development aid.

    “We are tired of this narrative” that portrays Africans as “victims of climate change”, “looking for favors” and “lamenting”, explains Mr. Ruto: “We are not asking for help, we want to be part of the solution”.

  • Self-styled preacher who wanted to deliver prophetic message to president arrested

    Self-styled preacher who wanted to deliver prophetic message to president arrested

    A self-proclaimed preacher who recently said he wanted to meet President William Ruto to deliver a prophetic message has been arrested by Police in western Kenya.

    Joseph Chenge of Jerusalem Mowar Church was arrested on Wednesday evening alongside 11 members of his church in Ruri village, Homa Bay county.

    Homa Bay criminal investigations officer Abed Kavoo said they were holding Mr Chenge in suspicion of promoting questionable religious teachings.

    Mr Kavoo said preliminary investigations had revealed that the cleric was detaining sick people at his church in the guise of praying for them. Five patients were rescued from the preacher’s church, local media reported.

    Police said Chenge’s church operations were illegal, as it was not registered. The preacher and the arrested members of his church are due to appear in court on Thursday.

    On Sunday, Mr Chenge told journalists that something unfortunate may happen to the country if he failed to meet President Ruto within 21 days.

    The arrest of the preacher comes amid a crackdown on suspicious churches in Kenya, following the death of more than 200 in a doomsday cult in coastal Kilifi county.

  • Kenyan leader bemoans Sudan generals amid tensions

    Kenyan leader bemoans Sudan generals amid tensions

    Kenyan President William Ruto has again called on the two warring Sudanese generals to halt the fighting, which has now reached its second month.

    Intense battles in the capital Khartoum and its sister cities of Bahri and Omdurman have raged despite Saudi and US-brokered talks between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Jeddah, aimed at securing humanitarian access and a ceasefire.

    “These generals are bombing everything, roads, hospitals, bridges, and destroying the airport using military hardware bought with African money. We need to tell those generals to stop the nonsense,” President Ruto said on Wednesday during the Pan-African Parliament Summit in South Africa.

    The Kenyan leader, who has been tasked by a regional bloc, Igad, together with other heads, to help in reconciling Sudan’s rival sides, said military capacity was for battling criminals and terrorists and not for fighting children and women.

    Mr Ruto, however, blamed African states for lacking the capacity to stop the war in Sudan “because our own peace and security is funded by others”.

    Nearly 1,000 people have been killed and more than a million displaced in Sudan since battles between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads a paramilitary force, erupted in April.

    The unrest has caused about 200,000 to flee into nearby countries and those still in Khartoum are struggling to survive.

  • Odinga wants reform talks to be expanded beyond Kenya’s parliament

    Odinga wants reform talks to be expanded beyond Kenya’s parliament

    New demands from Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga have the potential to scuttle the bipartisan negotiations that President William Ruto began on Sunday.

    Once the opposition’s protests were put on hold, the two, who ran against one other in the 2016 presidential election, decided to initiate discussions over the electoral commission’s reconstitution.

    The opposition’s demands that the topic also address the nation’s skyrocketing cost of living have gone unmentioned by President Ruto, who is adamant that the bipartisan negotiations should be conducted through parliament.

    On Tuesday, Mr. Odinga requested that President Ruto take the conversation outside of parliament in order to address the issue of rising costs.

    He said a strictly parliamentary process may not address their concerns and proposed broad-based talks akin to what led to the 2008 National Accord – a post-election deal brokered by the then UN chief Koffi Annan.

    “We assure our people and Kenyans that our eyes are firmly on the ball, and reiterate that we shall go back to the people at the earliest sign of lack of seriousness by the other side,” Mr Odinga said.

    The opposition chief also claimed there were attempts to tamper with the electoral servers, which he demands to be forensically audited.

    The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has accused Mr Odinga of holding the proposed talks at ransom and dismissed his fresh demands as unreasonable.

    Speaking in Rwanda on Tuesday, President Ruto ruled out the possibility of any agreement that would co-opt the opposition into his government.

    Mr Odinga had last month launched twice-a-week protests to push for what he termed as electoral justice and action on the cost-of-living crisis.

  • Kenya’s president ‘climbdown’ made room for negotiations – Odinga

    Kenya’s president ‘climbdown’ made room for negotiations – Odinga

    The head of the opposition, Raila Odinga, has told the international media that Kenyan President William Ruto’s decision to abandon a harsh stance in the face of opposition protests to open the door for discussions.

    Once the protests over the high cost of living and suspected electoral irregularities started, President Ruto spoke to the nation for the first time on Sunday.

    The president agreed to one of Mr Odinga’s demands – a bipartisan engagement in parliament on the formation of the next electoral commission.

    But he suggested he won’t engage the opposition leader on his other demands, including the cost of living and legitimacy of his presidency.

    In a BBC interview, Mr Odinga welcomed Mr Ruto’s “climbdown” and insisted that all issues must be put on the table.

    Quote Message: Mr Ruto came up with what you can call an olive branch. He said he’s now ready to do negotiations. This is basically a climbdown.”

    Mr Ruto came up with what you can call an olive branch. He said he’s now ready to do negotiations. This is basically a climbdown.”

    Quote Message: That’s why we said that we can embrace dialogue so long as he’s ready to put all the issues that we are talking about on the table.”

    That’s why we said that we can embrace dialogue so long as he’s ready to put all the issues that we are talking about on the table.”

  • William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga agree to hold talks on electoral reforms

    William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga agree to hold talks on electoral reforms

    Kenyan President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have been commended by the East African bloc Igad for agreeing to hold negotiations in an effort to put a stop to two weeks of demonstrations against rising living expenses and electoral reforms.

    As a result of what he called President Ruto’s “olive branch,” Odinga claimed on Sunday that his Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition had decided to postpone the rallies it had scheduled for Monday.

    In a Twitter post, Igad executive secretary Workneh Gebeyehu said the two leaders’ move would help “resolve differences on national issues through peaceful means and preserve Kenya’s unity and constitutional order”.

    The cancelled opposition demonstrations would have been the latest in a series of protests held on Mondays and Thursdays.

  • Anti-government protests in Kenya called off

    Anti-government protests in Kenya called off

    In order to allow for bipartisan discussions on the creation of the nation’s election commission, Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga has canceled protests scheduled for Monday.

    President William Ruto requested Mr Odinga to call them off and allow for talks.

    The opposition has been holding demonstrations twice a week in opposition to rising living expenses, the creation of a new electoral commission, and the validity of the president’s election from the previous year.

    President Ruto agreed to one demand and suggested a bipartisan discussion in parliament over the electoral commission’s reorganization.

    But his statement did not mention the cost of living. He also asked Mr Odinga to respect the constitution and the Supreme Court, which validated his election last year.

    In his speech, Mr Odinga acknowledged the president’s calls for dialogue and described Mr Ruto’s statement as important.

    But he warned that protests would resume within one week if the talks did not bear fruit.

  • Kenyan President renounce LGBTQ+ during dialogue with German broadcaster

    Kenyan President renounce LGBTQ+ during dialogue with German broadcaster

    The president of Kenya, William Ruto, has renounced same-sex couples and emphasized that his nation will firmly adhere to what its customs, traditions, and 2010 Constitution say regarding marriage and relationships.

    He praised the constitution as one of the most advanced documents for the range of human rights it established and declared that Kenyans would respect all rights to the extent that they were recognized by law.

    He stressed in an interview with a German broadcaster, however, that his country has no issue with how marriage is interpreted or understood in other jurisdictions.

    “In Kenya, the only understanding of relationships around marriage is around men marrying women, that is the context of relationship that exist in Kenya and is provided for in our constitution.

    “It (same-sex marriage) can happen elsewhere, we have no issue with people celebrating their issues in America in other countries, that is their choosing,” he stressed when asked about a recent anti-same-sex law promulgated in neighbouring Uganda.

    “In Kenya, we have taken a position that position of the Constitution, the position of the laws as it is today, if that is what they want to do, we cannot dictate to Germans or French or Americans or Ugandans if that is what they want to do.

    “That is theirs to do, for us as a country, we have taken a position that is informed by our culture, our tradition, our Constitution and our laws,” he stressed.

  • Odinga insists on protesting despite police ban

    Odinga insists on protesting despite police ban

    Despite a police ban, Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga said protests against PRairesident William Ruto’s administration over the high cost of living would proceed as planned.

    Hours after accusing Vice President Rigathi Gachagua of “coordinating a campaign of mayhem” against the anticipated demonstrations, Odinga called for protests on Monday and Thursday in a tweet.

    Last week, violent protests broke out in Nairobi and other places, resulting in the death of one person. More than 200 persons were detained by the police, including members of both chambers of parliament who are affiliated with Odinga’s One Kenya Coalition Party.

    The protests organized by Odinga are now prohibited, according to Kenya’s police chief, who also noted that such actions are still illegal.

    “We have been restraining ourselves. We cannot do that any more,” Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome told reporters at a media briefing. “We are ready as the police force to maintain peace.”

    During last week’s protests, police used tear gas and water cannon, including at Odinga’s convoy. Nairobi’s central business district had a heavy police presence before Monday’s planned rallies.

    Odinga, 78, has called for indefinite twice-weekly protests, citing the high cost of staples such as maize flour, which has kept inflation high. He also has accused Ruto of cheating in last year’s presidential election.

  • Opposition leaders in Kenya arrested over tear gas protest

    Opposition leaders in Kenya arrested over tear gas protest

    Protests are being held across the country in opposition to President William Ruto‘s election victory and Kenya’s rising cost of living.

    Although hundreds of people demonstrated against President William Ruto, the high cost of living, and allegations of election fraud, the Kenyan police deployed tear gas and detained many key opposition members.

    Veteran political figure Raila Odinga, who lost to Ruto in August’s poll, has urged nationwide protests as he attempts to harness dissatisfaction with the president.

    The discontented include some who voted for Ruto and feel he has not delivered on pledges to help the country’s forgotten “hustlers”, or working-class Kenyans.

    Police officers in riot gear fired tear gas at hundreds of rock-throwing protesters in the capital Nairobi’s vast Kibera slum, who chanted: “Ruto must go.”

    They also used tear gas to disperse demonstrators trying to gather in the Central Business District, from where Odinga has called for a march towards the president’s State House residence, Reuters reporters said.

    In the western city of Kisumu, an Odinga stronghold, police fired barrages of tear gas in the direction of protesters who had started fires in the road, footage on Citizen TV showed.

    At least four members of parliament were arrested during protests in Nairobi, including the minority leaders of the National Assembly and Senate, Odinga’s spokesman, Dennis Onyango, said.

    Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei told reporters he would have details about the arrests later in the day.

    Despite Ruto’s promises to bring down living costs since taking power in September, inflation has remained high in East Africa’s economic powerhouse, rising to 9.2 percent in February.

    Ruto has said his government is laying the foundations of a healthier economy, including by cutting reliance on borrowing.

    Odinga, who has lost five presidential elections, has cast the demonstration as an opportunity to protest against the August vote, which he says was tainted by fraud.

    He challenged the results in the Supreme Court last year, but the court affirmed Ruto’s win and there was little of the violence that marred elections in 2007 and 2017.

  • Policemen soon to be sentenced after Kenyan lawyers murder

    Policemen soon to be sentenced after Kenyan lawyers murder

    Three former police officers and a civilian are due to be sentenced by a Kenyan court for the 2016 murder of renowned human rights attorney Willie Kimani.

    Last year, a jury found the four defendants—Fredrick Leliman, Stephen Cheburet, Sylvia Wanjiku, and Peter Ngugi—guilty of killing Mr. Kimani, his client Josephat Mwendwa, and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri.

    The late lawyer’s wife and family have already arrived at the crowded courthouse in Nairobi, the country’s capital.

    After being dumped in a river outside of Nairobi, the bodies of Mr. Kimani and the other two victims were discovered.

    The lawyer was defending Mr Mwendwa, a motorbike taxi driver who had accused Mr Leliman – one of the three officers found guilty – of shooting him for no reason at a traffic stop in 2015.

    Mr Kimani, Mr Mwendwa and Mr Muiruri were last seen on 23 June 2016 at a police station.

    Their mutilated bodies were recovered two weeks later in a river almost 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the city.

    The sentencing comes at a time when Kenya’s police service is under yet more scrutiny over extrajudicial killings and abductions.

    President William Ruto has already disbanded several special units accused of civilian murder and kidnapping.

  • Raila refuses to recognise Ruto’s presidency in Kenya

    Raila refuses to recognise Ruto’s presidency in Kenya

    Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has said his political coalition does not recognise William Ruto as the President of Kenya and declared the new Kenyan government as “illegitimate”.

    Mr Ruto beat him in last August’s poll, but Mr Odinga – who appeared at Nairobi’s Kamukunji Stadium along with his running mate Martha Karua, and other allies – repeated claims that the results were manipulated. Claims that had already been rejected in court.

    He declared that he and his movement “reject the 2022 election result totally”, which was received with great cheers and applause from an adoring crowd.

    “We cannot and we don’t recognise the Kenya Kwanza regime,” he continued.

    The 2022 election was Mr Odinga’s fifth attempt at the presidency, but he was beaten by Mr Ruto who was declared winner in the absence of four election commissioners who dissented and accused the commission chairman of delivering what they called “opaque” results.

    Mr Raila then rejected the results and took the case to court .

    But the Supreme Court upheld Mr Ruto’s victory. The aftermath has been dramatic with accusations and counter accusations.

    Election chief Wafula Chebukati has claimed he was under intense pressure from unspecified forces to announce different results, and most recently, President Ruto sensationally said there had been an assassination plot against Mr Chebukati.

    Some of Mr Odinga’s partners in his Azimio Coalition have since decamped and declared their support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

    Others have remained steadfast with him in this renewed fight for what they call electoral justice.

    The next general election is four years away, however the main opposition is already calling for sweeping electoral reforms, and is calling for the current administration to leave office.

    Source: BBC

  • We know there were attempts to kill electoral chief – Ruto alleges

    We know there were attempts to kill electoral chief – Ruto alleges

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has made sensational accusations of a plot to abduct and kill the head of the electoral commission in the run up to the announcement of the presidential results last year.

    Mr Ruto was declared the winner of the presidential election held August 2022, taking 50.5% of the vote, amid dramatic scenes at the vote tallying centre.

    At the time, electoral commission chairman Wafula Chebukati said he had done his duty despite receiving threats.

    On Tuesday the president claimed the plot to abduct Mr Chebukati was sanctioned by the “highest” office, according to local media reports.

    “We know that there was a direct attempt to abduct Mr Chebukati and murder him so that the commission would be paralysed, or a compliant commissioner take over and subvert the people’s sovereignty. It was a hard, cold and lonely time, the threats were dire, the promised rewards lavish and the pressure relentless,” President Ruto said.

    He made the remarks during a meeting with commissions and independent offices at State House, Nairobi.

    The president’s rival at the elections, Raila Odinga’s party, ODM, has scoffed at the remarks, calling it a “well-choreographed chorus”.

    “They should present the claims before a commission of inquiry when it is formed.”

    Source: BBC

  • Yet again, Kenya Airways suspends shares

    Yet again, Kenya Airways suspends shares

    The president asserts he wants to sell the government’s stake in the indebted airline, whose stocks have not been traded since 2020.

    The local stock exchange reports that trading in Kenya Airways shares has been halted for another year as the troubled national airline struggles to turn a profit.

    Since July 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic devastated international air travel, the airline’s shares have been suspended.

    “The extension of suspension seeks to enable the company [to] complete its operational and corporate restructure process,” the Nairobi Securities Exchange said in a statement on Wednesday.

    Last month, Kenyan President William Ruto said the government was ready to sell its entire stake in the airline, which has been deep in debt for years.

    The government owns a 48.9 percent stake in Kenya Airways while Air France-KLM has 7.8 percent. The rest is owned by private owners and banks.

    “I’m willing to sell the whole of Kenya Airways,” Ruto told Bloomberg News during his first visit to the United States as Kenya’s president.

    “I’m not in the business of running an airline that just has a Kenyan flag – that’s not my business,” said Ruto, who reportedly met executives from US carrier Delta Air Lines during the trip.

    Kenya Airways’ woes worsened in November when pilots staged a days-long strike, which led to hundreds of flight cancellations and stranded thousands of passengers. It also defaulted on a $525 million loan from the US Export-Import Bank last year.

    The shares were first suspended two and a half years ago as lawmakers were considering a plan – since dropped – for the state to take full ownership of the carrier.

    The airline, whose slogan is “The Pride of Africa”, was founded in 1977 after the demise of East African Airways and now flies more than four million passengers to 42 destinations annually.

    But it has not made a profit since 2012, and the government has pumped in millions of dollars to keep it afloat.

    Last month, the International Monetary Fund called for progress on structural reforms in Kenya while announcing a $447 million loan for Kenya under a 38-month aid programme

    The IMF said “addressing vulnerabilities” at Kenya Airways as well as the majority state-owned utility Kenya Power was “urgent”.

    In August, the airline reported an $81.5 million half-year loss, citing high fuel costs. It was a marked improvement on the $94.6 million loss in the period the year before.

    Local media reports cited a letter from Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u to the IMF at the end of December as saying Kenya Airways would get an additional state bailout of about $280 million soon.

    Source: Aljazeera.com
  • Kenya’s William Ruto marks 100 days in office, says ‘Life is worse’

    Kenyan shop assistant, Winnie Wanjiru Mwaura, signed up to work as an electoral agent for William Ruto during the voting on August 9 and was ecstatic when he was elected president.

    But barely 100 days after the rags-to-riches businessman took office on September 13, the 21-year-old wants nothing to do with him.

    “Life has only become worse under him,” the first-time voter told AFP.

    Ruto came to power casting himself as a champion for the downtrodden, vowing to create jobs and tackle a cost-of-living crisis that has left many Kenyans struggling to put food on the table.

    “If we take care of the bottom, we take care of everybody,” the 56-year-old leader once told a campaign meeting, outlining his plan for a “bottom-up” economic transformation.

    Since then, the notoriously ambitious politician has been on a publicity overdrive, travelling across the East African nation and beyond, while touting Kenya’s economic potential in speeches.

    As far as voters like Mwaura are concerned however, Ruto has done far too little to improve the lot of ordinary Kenyans in a country where about a third of the population lives in poverty.

    ‘Not very strategic’

    Ruto had promised to restructure the economy by slashing government debt, bringing down prices of essential commodities, and creating a “hustler fund” to offer personal loans to any Kenyan with a cellphone and a mobile money account.

    But his first act after assuming office was to slash food and fuel subsidies introduced by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.

    While Ruto argued that the interventions had “not borne any fruit”, their removal was a request from the International Monetary Fund, a major lender to the East African economic powerhouse.

    Experts called it a rash decision.

    “The move to remove the fuel subsidy was not very strategic as it has led to a slower economy, rising inflation and higher interest rates,” Ken Gichinga, chief economist at business analytics firm Mentoria Economics, told AFP.

    The Central Bank of Kenya raised interest rates by a cumulative 1.75 percent in 2022, the most in seven years, while inflation soared to a five-year high of 9.6 percent in October.

    Even Ruto’s pet project, the 50-billion-shilling ($408-million) “hustler fund”, has sparked controversy, with some accusing him of reneging on promises to make the credit scheme interest-free.

    The fund, launched last month, will offer personal loans of up to 50 000 Kenyan shillings, with interest charged at eight percent a year — lower than the rate of inflation.

    Borrowers have already complained of difficulty in getting loans higher than 1,000 Kenyan shillings approved, despite the fund’s stated objective of boosting financial access for the country’s poorest citizens.

    “They inflated the prices of goods, then give you a 500-shilling loan which can only buy two packets of maize flour,” Michael Wafula, a 35-year-old mechanic, told AFP.

    For shop attendants like Mwaura, who earns just 700 Kenyan shillings a day, the fund will do little to change her fortunes.

    Still, she borrowed 1 000 Kenyan shillings to pay for a trip to the hair salon.

    “I used the loan to get my hair braided,” she said. “What else can one do with a 1 000-shilling loan?”

    ‘The ship is floating’ 

    Ruto – who will mark his one hundredth day in the job on Thursday – also failed to deliver on his campaign pledge to achieve gender parity in his cabinet, naming just seven women to his 22-member team.

    Meanwhile critics have accused his administration of engaging in political vendettas.

    Earlier this month, four election commission officials who had cast doubt on the poll results that brought him to power, were suspended by the government.

    “They are not behaving like they are in power; they are still fighting wars that you would expect to be fought during an election,” political analyst Herman Manyora told AFP.

    Despite a “disappointing” start however, Manyora, who supported Ruto’s opponent Raila Odinga during the polls, said it was too early to dismiss the president and his team.

    “We would give them five out of 10 because the ship is floating,” he said, adding that he was cautiously hopeful.

    For Ruto’s hustler voter base however, the verdict is already a foregone conclusion.

    “Ruto has a sweet tongue but I haven’t seen anything from the new administration,” said a car washer, who gave her first name as Jane.

    Source: Africa Insider

  • Kenya office of first daughter a ‘private entity’ – Charlene clarifies

    The second child of Kenyan President William Ruto, Charlene Ruto,  has defended her comments on the existence of the office of the first daughter.

    Kenyan law does not recognise the office of first daughter.

    In a statement, Ms Ruto says the office is not a government department but is a “private entity”.

    “It is neither a constitutional office nor being funded by Kenyan taxpayers. The office runs to purely facilitate the activities of and any programs being run by Charlene Ruto,” the statement said

    It follows criticism over what some saw as a misuse of taxpayers’ money.

    Ms Ruto has been regularly meeting leaders across the country and attending international forums meeting foreign dignitaries since her father became president.

    Source: BBC

  • Kenya commemorates its 59th year as a republic

    On Monday, December 12, 2022, Kenya commemorated 59 years of freedom from British colonial authority.

    Kenya’s fifth president, William Ruto, paid homage to those who helped free Kenya from British colonialism nearly six decades ago as heroic defenders of the country’s “sovereignty”.

    Speaking in Nairobi, Ruto said independence had brought many achievements and much progress to the country.

    “The sixth decade of our independence, we can proudly cite many achievements and impressive progress made through our own consistent efforts as evidence that our freedom struggle was neither an empty political adventure nor a reactionary born of idle resentment,” he said.

    “We gather as a nation to commune with our forefathers who were long suffering innocent victims of imperial plunder and colonial oppression, yet also heroic defenders of inalienable sovereignty and valiant fighters of our freedom,” he added.

    Ruto said Kenya was consistent in peacekeeping missions to ensure security and stability in Africa.

    “We are proud of Kenya’s consistent record of leadership to advance the cause of peace, cohesion , security and stability in our region. Under various regional and continental frameworks and with the support of international partners, we are deploying our position as a regional anchor state for the benefit of our neighbours and region,” Ruto said.

    Source: Africa News

  • Kenyan president suspends election officials

    Kenyan President William Ruto has suspended four electoral commissioners who refused to endorse the results of the last presidential election, which delivered his win.

    Mr Ruto on Friday announced a tribunal headed by a judge would investigate the four officials for serious violation of the law, gross misconduct and incompetence, which could see them ultimately sacked from their posts.

    But opposition leader Raila Odinga has condemned Mr Ruto’s move as the government’s plan to rig the elections in 2027.

    “The four are being forced out because Ruto and his administration wants a clean slate at the IEBC [Kenya’s electoral commission] and fill it with its stooges and henchmen for the 2027 elections. [Mr Ruto] wants to wants to rig the 2027 elections in 2022,” Mr Odinga said.

    Mr Ruto’s announcement of the tribunal follows a recommendation by the national assembly to suspend the commissioners over their conduct during the August elections.

    Mr Ruto was declared the winner after narrowly beating his rival, Mr Odinga, with 50.5% of the vote.

    But four out of seven commissioners, including the vice-chairperson, said the tally was flawed and the result “opaque”.

    Source: BBC

  • Kenya’s Ruto launches flagship credit scheme for poor

    Kenyan President William Ruto has officially launched his “resourceful fund” on Wednesday, the flagship measure of his campaign intended to give the poorest access to credit and revive the economy of this African country “from below”. ‘East.

    The Head of State, who presented himself during the presidential campaign on August 9 as the herald of the “resourceful” (“hustlers”) of the common people, inaugurated the first part of his program: personal loans to a rate of 8% up to 50,000 shillings (approximately 400 euros), accessible to any adult Kenyan with a money transfer application by mobile phone.

    Endowed with a total amount of 50 billion shillings (approximately 400 million euros) over five years, the “resourceful fund” will include three other components: micro-credit (available by the end of January 2023), loans to SMEs (by the end of March 2023) and start-up loans (by the end of May 2023).

    “With this program, the government is committed to creating opportunities for millions of people at the bottom of our economic pyramid to advance and realize their aspirations,” the Kenyan President said.

    “More affordable credit will boost borrower confidence and inject significant amounts into productive activity across the economy,” he continued.

    This fund will also oblige borrowers to open a savings account, 5% of the amount of the loan taken out being automatically paid into a personal savings plan that the government will top up for a maximum of 6,000 shillings per year (approximately 45 euros).

    Since taking office in September, President Ruto has struggled to deliver on his campaign promises in a country struggling with historic drought, rising living costs and a $70 billion debt burden.

    He cut costly food and fuel subsidies introduced by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, and also pledged to make income tax more progressive in an attempt to reduce inequality.

    With its 50 million inhabitants, Kenya is the economic locomotive of East Africa, but a third of its population lives below the poverty line.

    Inflation officially reached 9.6% in October, its highest for more than five years, while the currency, the Kenyan shilling fell against the dollar (122 shillings for one dollar).

     

    Source: BBC

  • Kenya’s William Ruto new cabinet to be sworn in

    Kenya’s new 22-member cabinet will be sworn in on Thursday, a day after parliament approved them.

    President William Ruto has kept one minister from his predecessor’s cabinet as a national security adviser and established the position of prime cabinet secretary.

    The former head of the central bank, Njuguna Ndung’u, will be the new treasury secretary, while former parliament speaker, Justin Muturi, will be the new attorney general.

    The president rewarded his political allies with cabinet appointments.

    Despite promising 50% of cabinet appointments to women, Mr Ruto nominated only seven women to the 22 ministerial positions, with two women as presidential advisers and one woman as cabinet secretary.

    The new cabinet’s immediate focus will be to reduce the cost of living and the food crisis caused by failed rains.

    On Tuesday, the president said that he will need at least a year in order to reduce the price of maize flour – the country’s staple food.

     

  • Kenya’s President Ruto names new Cabinet

    Kenya’s President William Ruto on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, unveiled his new Cabinet two weeks after he was sworn in as Kenya’s fifth head of state.

    At a press conference, Dr. Ruto stated that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will, in addition to deputising him, chair intergovernmental relations and chair constitutional commissions.

    The president named Musalia Mudavadi as the Prime Cabinet Secretary, saying the position is the most senior office after the president and vice president.

    He also appointed the following Cabinet Secretaries (CSs)

    Professor Kithure Kindiki (Interior and National Administration)

    Njuguna Ndung’u (National Treasury and Planning)

    Aisha Jumwa (Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action)

    Aden Duale (Defence)

    Alice Wahome (Water, Sanitation and Irrigation)

    Alfred Mutua (Foreign and Diaspora Affairs)

    Moses Kuria (Trade, Investment and Industry)

    Rebecca Miano (EAC, ASAL and Regional Development)

    Kipchumba Murkomen (Roads and Transport)

    Soipan Tuya (Environment and Forestry)

    Zacharia Mwangi Njeru (Lands and Housing)

    Peninah Malonza (Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage)

    Mithika Linturi (Agriculture and Livestock Development)

    Susan Nakhumicha Wafula (Health)

    Eliud Owalo (Communication)

    Ezekiel Machogu (Education)

    Davis Chirchir (Energy and Petroleum)

    Ababu Namwamba (Sports and Youth Affairs)

    Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives and MSMEs)

    Salim Mvurya (Mining)

    Florence Bore (Labour)

    The names will now be forwarded to Parliament for vetting and approval.

    President Ruto also appointed Harriet Chigai as the advisor on women’s rights, Monica Juma as the National Security advisor and Justin Muturi as the Attorney General and Mercy Wanjau as the Secretary to the Cabinet.

    He also announced that Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai had applied to proceed on terminal leave for the remaining six months of his remaining contract, due to health problems. The president further announced that the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti had handed in his resignation.

    Source: theeastafrican.co.ke

  • Kenya open to buying fuel from Russia – Ruto

    Kenya’s President William Ruto, has opened up about buying fuel from Russia.

    “I am now going to move on to the agenda of making sure that we have government-to-government relationships that will progressively now begin the journey to bring the prices of fuel down,” President Ruto said.

    He added: “All options are available to us as a country.”

    Kenya is facing a deepening economic crisis, sending the price of food and fuel soaring.

    Despite rising fuel prices Mr Ruto defended his decision last week to scrap some fuel subsidies.

    He said they were unsustainable and prone to abuse.

    Several countries have refused to engage with Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine but Mr Ruto said he’s considering all available options.

  • William Ruto’s bold move to scrap subsidies in Kenya

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has surprised the nation by scrapping a subsidy on petrol which has increased the retail price to an all-time high in his first major policy announcement.

    This comes at a time when  leaders around the world are introducing subsidies to protect people from the rising cost of living.

    This has led to something of a backlash on social media, while analysts warn he risks losing support right at the start of his time in office, after narrowly winning last month’s election.

    “I stopped driving to work some months back and now I’m worried my commute will become too expensive in case matatus [public service vehicles] hike fares,” Nairobi resident John Maina told the BBC.

    President Ruto based his election campaign on a populist “Hustler” narrative – promising to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, create jobs and lower the cost of living, while emphasising his own poor background.

    One of his campaign pledges was to remove taxes on fuel to lower its cost and so reduce the cost of basic commodities.

    But in his inaugural speech, the president announced the end of the subsidy programme, saying it would cost the country $2.3bn (£2bn) by the end of the current financial year, in June 2023.

    “This is equivalent to the entire national government development budget,” he said, adding that the subsidy had failed to achieve the intended purpose of lowering the cost of living.

    Economists agree that subsidies are unsustainable for Kenya and are often just an opportunity for people to swindle money but in the short-term, ordinary Kenyans will feel the pain of a 13% increase in the cost of a litre of petrol to $1.49.

    But analysts warn that the president could pay a political cost.

    “The impact will definitely be felt because the price of everything is bound to increase,” Herman Manyora told the BBC.

    He said there was no need to rush such a big decision even before a new government was formed because it made it look like “one man’s decision rather than a well-thought government decision”.

    President Ruto is yet to appoint cabinet ministers who will then require parliament’s approval before taking office.

    Analyst Javas Bigambo agreed, and said Mr Ruto should have taken more time to explain it to Kenyans first, and also to explain how the money would be used elsewhere, in order to garner public support for the move.

    Mr Ruto also said he would not be renewing a subsidy which had halved the cost of the staple food, maize flour, which was introduced just before the elections.

    Kenya is currently struggling with record debts and under the terms of a loan with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it had to remove the subsidies, which describes them as “regressive”.

    “The benefits of these subsidies tend to accrue to richer households [more] than poorer households,” said IMF Africa director Abebe Selassie.

    President Ruto has maintained a small subsidy on diesel – used mostly by transporters and manufacturers, and kerosene – which is crucial to rural households for cooking and lighting.

    And while removing subsidies on fuel and maize flour, he said he would instead reduce the cost of fertilizer, which has also shot up since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    Kenya does not produce enough maize to feed itself and he wants to increase national production.

    “Our strategy to bring down the cost of living is predicated on empowering producers,” said Mr Ruto, who enjoys huge support among Kenya’s farming community.

    The new administration therefore said it would provide 1.4 million 50kg bags of fertiliser at $29, down from the current market price of $54, beginning on Monday.

    But if these decisions don’t lower the cost of living in the coming months, Mr Bigambo warned that President Ruto’s popularity could take a big hit.

    “It will depend on how many other things he does right. If the decisions will not lower the cost of living within the next six to eight months then the joy of the ordinary citizens will not last long,” he said.

     

  • Kenya’s Parliament sits for first time since 2022 election

    Kenya’s Parliament has reconvened for the first time since the disputed general elections last month.

    Members of the two Houses of Parliament – the National Assembly and Senate – are being sworn in and will elect new speakers and deputy speakers.

    It comes just days after the Kenyan Supreme Court upheld William Ruto’s narrow victory in the presidential poll, after the result was challenged by his rival Raila Odinga.

    The Kenya Kwanza coalition led by Mr Ruto is vying for control of parliament against the One Kenya movement, led by outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta.

    Neither of the two groups won a clear majority.

  • Costly ads hailing Kenyan president-elect William Ruto barred

    Kenya’s Devolution Ministry has warned newly elected governors against using public resources to pay for congratulatory messages in newspaper adverts.

    The ministry argued that the said money for the “expensive” congratulatory messages to the president-elect William Ruto and deputy president-elect could be used to provide essential services.

    “In line with advice from the president-elect, these congratulatory adverts are hereby discouraged with immediate effect,” said Julius Korir, while encouraging counties to use cheaper alternative such as social media.

    “The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to direct that all counties immediately desist from procuring the extravagant congratulatory advertisements,” he said.

    The ministry cited public finance management regulations in the Kenyan law stipulating that “public money shall be used in a prudent in and responsible way”.

    Public entities traditionally pay for space in the media to publish adverts congratulating newly elected leaders.

    Kenya voted in a general elections on 9 August, and President-elect William Ruto is due to be sworn into office next Tuesday.

  • Kenya’s Supreme Court confirms William Ruto won against Raila Odinga

    Several petitions challenging the election of William Ruto as Kenya’s president were rejected by the country’s Supreme Court.

    According to the BBC, the supreme court ruled that William Ruto, 55, who received 50.5% of the vote against rival Raila Odinga’s 48.8%, was duly elected.

    Following an alleged fraud in the election results, including the tampering of results, Raila Odinga and seven other candidates went before the court asking that the court declare the election null and void.

    The court ruled that some of the eight petitions contesting the polls were based on false documents and “sensational facts,” Chief Justice Martha Koome declared on behalf of the seven judges, according to the article.

    “No credible evidence that the electronic voting transmission system had been tampered with by “a middle man” was presented,” she said.

    She also added that William Ruto met the constitutional threshold of garnering 50%+1 of votes cast.

    William Ruto will be the country’s fifth president when sworn in next week. Following the ruling, Mr Ruto’s home area of the Rift Valley and parts of the Central region has seen massive celebrations by his supporters.

    Meanwhile, the BBC reports that Kisumu, which is Mr Odinga’s stronghold, seems quiet, with streets deserted and some businesses closed for the day.

    President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was supporting Mr Odinga, is expected to address the country in the coming hours.

  • The Kenyan Supreme Court validates William Ruto’s victory in the presidential election

    Following the election commission chair’s declaration of William Ruto as the winner, protests temporarily erupted in a number of the strongholds of Raila Odinga, the opposition candidate. It’s unclear if there will be any additional demonstrations.

    The highest court of Kenya has dismissed a challenge to the official results of the presidential election.

    Opposition candidate Raila Odinga had alleged irregularities in the otherwise peaceful election on 9 August, which was won by deputy president William Ruto.

    The court found there was little or no evidence for various claims, including accusations of misconduct, and called some of them “nothing more than hot air.”

    Protests briefly broke out in several of Mr Odinga’s strongholds after the election commission chair declared Mr Ruto the winner on 15 August, but Mr Odinga urged his supporters to stay peaceful.

    It is not clear whether the court’s decision could lead to further protests.

    The court overturned the results of the previous presidential election in 2017, a first in Africa, and ordered a fresh vote after Mr Odinga filed a challenge to that year’s result.

    He then boycotted the fresh election that was ordered, allowing President Uhuru Kenyatta to take power.

    At the time, about 100 people were killed in election-related clashes.

    This time, Mr Odinga was backed by Mr Kenyatta, his former opponent, illustrating how political alliances can shift in East Africa’s most stable democracy.

    Mr Ruto had been declared the winner even though four of the seven election commissioners had disowned the result announced by the commission chairman, claiming the count had been opaque.

    Image:Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga

    The supreme court criticised the commission, saying it “needs far-reaching reforms” before questioning whether “are we to nullify an election on the basis of a last-minute boardroom rupture?”

    Mr Ruto will become Kenya’s fifth president at a time when the east African nation faces several challenges, including billions of dollars in loans and surging prices of basic commodities such as food and fuel.