The Leadership Style of William Ruto: Shortcuts and Consequences

 It is a well-documented fact that William Samoei Ruto, now President of Kenya, began his career as a driver and errand boy for Cyrus Jirongo. From those humble beginnings, he catapulted himself into big business and politics. But how do these origins reflect on the way Kenya is currently being governed? This is the focus of today’s analysis.

The Insights of Kipruto Arap Kirwa

Kipruto Arap Kirwa, a seasoned politician and former chairman of the UDA party, recently made remarks that shed light on Ruto's leadership style. During a talk show, Kirwa highlighted Ruto's tendency to take shortcuts in solving problems, a characteristic that has defined his rise and governance style.

Kirwa referred to Ruto’s controversial "three matatus" statement, where the President outlined three options for his opponents: exile, imprisonment, or death. Kirwa argued that such remarks reflect a penchant for quick fixes rather than addressing the root causes of Kenya’s challenges.

A History of Shortcuts

Ruto's political and business journey is marked by quick leaps and shortcuts. From his days as a chicken seller to joining the political elite through YK’92, Ruto’s rise has been anything but conventional. For instance, his first major business deal involved selling T-shirts to Jirongo, reportedly using the same batch multiple times to inflate delivery numbers.

In politics, Ruto holds the unique distinction of never having lost an election. While this is commendable, it raises questions about his strategies and their long-term implications.

Governance by Quick Fixes

Ruto's leadership style continues to reflect his preference for shortcuts:

1. Sugar Industry Crisis

Despite the deep-rooted challenges in the sugar industry, Ruto opted for populist remarks and quick solutions rather than addressing the systemic issues. His statements following the kidnap and release of a sugar baron served more as a campaign strategy for 2027 than a genuine attempt to resolve the crisis.

2. Economic Policies

Ruto’s approach to strengthening the Kenyan shilling included buying fuel on credit to ease pressure on the currency. However, this "quick fix" backfired, and the shilling depreciated further. Similarly, attempts to lower maize prices through duty-free imports were undermined by corruption and greed, leaving prices largely unchanged.

3. Handling Protests

The administration’s response to anti-government protests relied heavily on police crackdowns—another shortcut that failed to address the underlying grievances of Kenyans.

The Pitfalls of Shortcuts

While shortcuts may yield immediate results, they rarely stand the test of time. As Kirwa aptly pointed out, true solutions require digging deep into problems and addressing their root causes. Unfortunately, Ruto’s tendency to prioritize cosmetic changes often leads to temporary fixes that collapse under scrutiny.

The Bigger Picture

Understanding Ruto’s leadership style offers a lens through which to analyze his policies, decisions, and actions. Whether it’s his sudden agreement to an audit of the 2022 presidential elections or other populist moves, the underlying strategy often involves shortcuts.

Consequences for Kenyans

As shortcuts pile up, the long-term impact on Kenya’s economy and governance is concerning. Disaster looms on the horizon, with potential collapses in critical sectors. The effects will ultimately be borne by ordinary Kenyans.

A Call for Thoughtful Leadership

True progress requires a commitment to addressing issues at their core, not just masking them with quick fixes. While Ruto’s leadership style has brought him success in the past, the stakes are now higher. Kenyans need policies that ensure sustainable development, not just immediate applause.

Conclusion

William Ruto’s journey from humble beginnings to the presidency is a story of resilience and ambition. However, his reliance on shortcuts as a governance strategy raises questions about Kenya’s future. Only time will tell if his quick fixes can sustain the weight of the nation’s challenges—or if they will lead to greater turmoil.