William Ruto once positioned himself as a defender of the common citizen, especially during his time as Deputy President and while in opposition.
He constantly accused the government of disrespecting Kenyans, especially when it came to corruption investigations like the Arror and Kimwarer dam scandals.
He painted himself as someone who stood with the people, particularly the poor and the marginalized, and claimed that government policies at the time were hurting development in neglected areas.
But now that Ruto is in power, many Kenyans feel betrayed, and the same accusations he used against others are being thrown at him.
Since he became President in 2022, Ruto’s administration has faced serious criticism, especially over its response to nationwide protests. The protests, driven by anger over high taxes and a rising cost of living, have been met with police violence.
According to reports, at least 15 people were killed in just one day during demonstrations in June 2025. Human rights organizations have condemned the government’s actions, describing them as excessive and brutal.
The same man who once said that the government should listen to its people now stands accused of ignoring them and using force to silence them.
The situation becomes even more concerning when you add reports of abductions targeting young protest organizers and government critics.
Several Kenyans have gone missing after speaking out against the regime. This growing trend of suppressing dissent echoes the very things Ruto claimed to fight against in the past. People who once believed in his promises of fairness and reform now view his leadership as dishonest and abusive.
His administration’s policies, especially those around taxes and governance, have been widely seen as out of touch with the needs of struggling Kenyans.
Even more damaging is the public perception that Ruto’s government is full of double standards. While he spoke loudly against corruption under Kenyatta, his own administration is now surrounded by allegations of misuse of funds, questionable government tenders, and unaccountable spending.
The cries of hungry Kenyans facing joblessness and inflated prices only deepen the feeling that the government has turned its back on them. His economic model has failed to ease their pain, and instead seems to have benefited only a few elites close to power.
Ruto has tried to explain away the protests by claiming they are fueled by criminal elements and foreign interference. But these statements have done little to calm the public. Many feel insulted, as if their genuine cries for help are being dismissed as chaos.
Instead of taking responsibility, Ruto appears to be blaming everyone else, including young Kenyans who simply want a better life. The same youth who voted him into office now see him as part of the problem.
The irony is painful. Ruto built his political brand by calling out injustice and bad governance. But today, he is presiding over the very same system he once condemned.
His promises of a people-first leadership are now exposed as empty words. With the growing anger in the streets and the rising number of victims of police violence, Ruto’s image as a reformer has been completely shattered. Many Kenyans now see him not as a savior, but as another politician who only cared about power.
