Wamuzi News Ke
Kenya is under siege. President William Ruto now faces widespread condemnation—with growing calls branding him the most loathed head of state in the nation’s modern history. This follows nearly two straight years of intense public unrest and mounting political fury.
The backlash exploded in mid‑2024 over the controversial Kenya Finance Bill, which proposed sweeping tax hikes on essential goods and services. Massive protests erupted nationwide, culminating in a dramatic breach of the Kenyan Parliament building on 25 June 2024, where demonstrators stormed the compound, set parts ablaze, and faced deadly police gunfire. At least 19 people died, 200+ were injured, hundreds were arrested. Facing sustained outrage, President Ruto withdrew the bill the following day.
Far from easing tensions, protests intensified in June and July 2025, led largely by disenfranchised youths protesting economic collapse, corruption, and police brutality. The death of blogger and schoolteacher Albert Omondi Ojwang in police custody sparked new fury. Over a three‑week period from 9 June to 1 July 2025, at least 50 people were killed, 553 injured, and more than 532 arrested across Kenya.
Central to this growing revolt is the viral online campaign #RutoMustGo, a leaderless, Generation‑Z–driven movement that ignited in 2024 and gained unstoppable force through X, TikTok, and Instagram. Protesters reject Ruto’s governance as disconnected and corrupt, with many questioning the legitimacy of his presidency.
The BBC—without confirming poll data—directly asked: “Is William Ruto the most disliked president in Kenya’s history?”. That headline reflects a powerful cross‑section of public sentiment fractured by political betrayal and economic collapse.
What’s Driving Kenya to the Brink?
- A stagnant economy amid crippling inflation and surging unemployment has left citizens desperate.
- High‑profile scandals and accusations of corruption and land grabs have eroded trust in the presidency.
- Brutal crackdowns on dissent, including the death of civilian protesters and political critics, have intensified outrage.
- Institutional paralysis: re‑activation of the electoral body IEBC was delayed until mid‑2025, making plans for recalls and civic action difficult.
Urgent Outlook
Kenya now stands at a tipping point. The government’s repeated failure to address youth anger and economic hardship fuels political radicalization. Analysts warn a generational rupture is underway—with urban youth rejecting traditional opposition parties as complicit and ineffective.
The hashtag‑driven protests reflect a historic shift in Kenyan politics: leaderless, online‑first, and operating outside tribal or party structures. As trust in formal institutions crumbles, street mobilization becomes the dominant force.
Unless the government delivers real reforms—and acknowledges accountability for protest‑related violence—the fears are spreading fast: Kenya may be approaching an irreversible breaking point.
