William Ruto: Is Kenya’s democracy in safe hands? | Talk to Al Jazeera

Key Concepts

• Hustler Narrative: President Ruto's self-proclaimed identity and campaign promise to uplift ordinary Kenyans.
• Economic Reforms: Government initiatives aimed at fixing the economy, including boosting stock exchange performance and agricultural production.
• Education and Health Sector Reforms: Investments in hiring teachers, building classrooms, and expanding health insurance coverage.
• Unemployment Solutions: Strategies to address youth unemployment through infrastructure development (housing), digital jobs, and labor export.
• Protests and State Response: Nationwide demonstrations against government policies, met with a forceful police response, leading to casualties and accusations of brutality.
• Media Freedom and Censorship: Concerns raised about potential government interference with media independence and freedom of expression.
• Police Brutality and Impunity: Allegations of excessive force, extrajudicial killings, and disappearances within the security forces.
• Corruption Fight: Government measures to combat corruption, including legislative changes and increased resources for anti-corruption agencies.
• Regional Democracy: Discussion on the state of democracy in East African neighboring countries and Kenya's role.
• International Solidarity and Funding Cuts: The impact of reduced international aid on humanitarian efforts, refugee support, and peacekeeping operations.
• Sudan Conflict: Kenya's alleged involvement and its stance on the conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• Haiti Intervention: Kenya's role in the multinational security support mission in Haiti and the challenges faced.

Summary of Interview with Kenyan President William Ruto

This summary details an interview with Kenyan President William Ruto, addressing his administration's performance, domestic challenges, and Kenya's role in regional and international affairs.

1. Presidential Performance and Economic Achievements

President Ruto, who came to power three years prior on a "hustler" platform promising to uplift ordinary Kenyans and unify the country, asserts that his government has made significant progress. He rates his performance on a scale of 1 to 10 as an "eight," citing achievements in several key areas:

• Economy: Ruto claims to have "fixed the economy," stating Kenya is now the sixth-largest economy in Africa, with its stock exchange recognized as the best in Africa.
• Agriculture: He highlights a 50% increase in maize production, from 44 million bags annually to nearly 70 million bags, and progress towards sugar self-sufficiency.
• Education: The education system, described as being "in shambles," has seen the hiring of 100,000 additional teachers, the construction of 23,000 classrooms, and the implementation of a new sustainable university funding model.
• Health: Health insurance coverage has expanded from 8 million to 27.2 million people, with improvements in hospital services, medicine supply, staffing, and equipment.
• Unemployment: To tackle the issue of youth unemployment, which affects 5% of the population, Ruto points to:
  • Infrastructure Development: A large-scale housing project building 230,000 units, creating jobs for 600,000 young people, with a target of one million next year.
  • Digital Jobs: Expansion of fiber optic connectivity, establishment of ICT hubs ("Ajiraa centers"), and business process outsourcing, creating 180,000 jobs in the digital ecosystem.
  • Labor Export: Bilateral labor agreements signed with countries like Germany, Austria, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, leading to 430,000 Kenyans working abroad.

2. Protests, State Response, and Human Rights Concerns

Despite the President's claims of progress, the interview addresses widespread public discontent, particularly among young Kenyans, manifested in nationwide protests.

• Protest Grievances: Protests in 2023 and 2024 have been fueled by issues such as food prices and, more recently, the death of a blogger in police custody.
• Government's Justification for Force: Ruto attributes the violent crackdown on protests to the presence of "criminal elements" involved in arson, property destruction, and looting, stating the police had to balance dealing with these criminals and managing genuine protests.
• Use of Force and Regret: When questioned about telling police to "shoot protesters in the legs," Ruto stated he does not regret the comments, asserting that the law allows police to use force when lives are in danger. He emphasized that police operate independently and know what they need to do.
• Media Freedom: Ruto denies attempts to stop live media coverage of protests, asserting that media in Kenya is independent and free to publish various content, even if he disagrees with it. He acknowledges that the public ultimately assesses performance.
• Police Brutality and Disappearances: Regarding the death of the blogger in police custody, Ruto confirmed that those involved are behind bars and that investigations were conducted. He acknowledged that within a police force of 110,000, "rogue elements" exist and are dealt with. He also addressed allegations of enforced disappearances, stating that claims are often general and that individuals are encouraged to come forward with specifics. He contrasted the current situation with a past where bodies were recovered, asserting that executions are no longer occurring.
• Corruption: Ruto claims to be doing "absolutely everything" to combat corruption, citing the signing of a law prohibiting public officers from doing business with the government, increased resources for anti-corruption agencies and the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the hiring of more judges to strengthen the criminal justice system.

3. Regional Democracy and International Relations

The interview also delves into Kenya's role in East Africa and its engagement with international issues.

• Regional Democracy Concerns: Ruto acknowledges that the picture of democracy in East Africa is not uniformly positive, citing the high percentage of support declared in recent Tanzanian elections as an example of differing approaches. He maintains that democracy is the best governance system, though not always tidy, and emphasizes the need to protect it and listen to alternative views without violence. He views democracy as a work in progress, with countries at different stages of development.
• International Solidarity and Funding: Ruto expresses concern over reduced humanitarian funding from the US and other countries to the UN, which he states is affecting global efforts in health, refugees, and peacekeeping, particularly in Somalia and the DRC. He urges the US and the international community to reassess their approach and increase, not decrease, international solidarity.
• Sudan Conflict: Ruto vehemently denies allegations that Kenya is supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan with arms, calling them "absolutely false." He states that Kenya is a democratic country where civil society groups can meet freely, and the meeting in Kenya was of civil society, church, and Muslim leaders discussing Sudan. He views both the Sudanese army (SAF) and RSF as products of an overthrown government and believes neither general has a solution for Sudan, as they both rely on military means for a governance problem.
• Haiti Intervention: Ruto defends Kenya's involvement in Haiti, stating that significant progress has been made, including the reopening of the port city and schools, and the police academy. However, he admits that the mission did not receive the promised support in terms of resources, force multipliers, equipment, and personnel, which he raised at the UN.

4. Conclusion on Democracy in Kenya

President Ruto concludes by asserting that democracy in Kenya is safe in his hands and that it is not about an individual but about the people, whose "DNA is democratic." He believes no president can stop Kenya from being a democratic country.