In a sharp critique of President William Ruto’s leadership style, Hon. Caleb Amisi, a prominent member of the opposition, has accused the president of masterfully manipulating unpopular policies to later backtrack and gain political leverage from the public. Amisi, who has been vocal about the challenges facing Kenya under the current administration, took to social media to express his frustrations, particularly focusing on Ruto’s handling of the Finance Bill 2024, the Adani issue, and now the National Livestock Vaccination Campaign.
Amisi’s tweet, posted on X (formerly Twitter), pointed out that Ruto has developed a strategy of pushing through controversial policies, only to later retreat and gain public favor. “President Ruto has mastered the art of propagating unpopular issues and later he backtracks to earn bonga points from Kenyans,” Amisi wrote. He also referenced how the president’s handling of the Finance Bill earlier this year had left UDA MPs in a difficult position, saying they have “never regained their ground” after Ruto threw them “under the bus.”
The Finance Bill 2024, which proposed tax hikes and other fiscal measures, was met with widespread opposition, especially from the youth and the Gen Z demographic. The proposed taxes were seen as a burden on the middle and lower classes, leading to protests and vocal opposition from various sectors of society. At the time, many critics, including Amisi, accused Ruto of disregarding the will of the people by pushing the bill through without adequate consultation.
Amisi also referred to Ruto’s controversial handling of the Adani issue, where the president seemingly turned against energy CS Hon. Opiyo Wandayi after defending the deal and other critics of the deal. According to Amisi, this move caused significant damage to the credibility of some staunch revolutionary figures in Kenyan politics, including Wandayi. The flip-flopping stance on these issues, Amisi argues, is part of a broader pattern that undermines trust in the government.
Now, with the ongoing National Livestock Vaccination Campaign, it’s feared that President Ruto may once again backtrack, following the rising concerns from the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) and other stakeholders about the lack of transparency and consultation in the program. “Verily verily I say unto you, many will lose jobs when Ruto makes a somersault on this vaccination fiasco,” predicting significant political fallout if the president backs down or changes course on the vaccination campaign and other key policies.
Amisi’s critique is part of a larger narrative of discontent among certain political factions and the public, especially after the controversial political alliance between President Ruto and former opposition leader Raila Odinga. The inclusion of Odinga in Ruto’s government, while hailed as a “broad-based” government by some, has left many disillusioned, particularly among younger voters who had rallied behind Odinga’s more progressive stance in previous elections. The youth, particularly from the Gen Z demographic, feel that their voices are being sidelined in the pursuit of political compromise, leading to frustration and a sense of betrayal.
“Kenya needs a renaissance,” Amisi concluded in his tweet, calling for a political awakening and a shift towards more transparent, inclusive, and accountable leadership. His comments echo a growing sentiment among many Kenyans who are seeking a departure from the political status quo and hoping for genuine reforms that will prioritize the welfare of ordinary citizens over political maneuvering.
As the debate over the vaccination campaign and other government policies continues to unfold, all eyes will be on how President Ruto responds to the mounting criticism and whether he will change his stance once again in the face of public pressure.
