A group of concerned Kenyans has taken legal action by filing a petition with the Supreme Court, urging Chief Justice Martha Koome to establish a special panel to assess President William Ruto’s mental health.
According to the petitioners, the President has exhibited unusual behavior, citing over 5,000 misleading statements made since he took office. They believe this is a clear indication of possible mental instability.
The group argues that they have a constitutional right to seek legal intervention when governance appears to prioritize political interests over public welfare.
They claim that under President Ruto’s leadership, the country’s governance is being driven by personal and political agendas rather than the well-being of ordinary citizens.
The Constitution requires the government to function efficiently, ensure institutions operate smoothly, and protect the rights of citizens.
The petitioners insist that recent remarks made by President Ruto in public gatherings are not only inappropriate but also embarrassing for the country and the presidency.
“A President telling people ‘Acheni Kunyamba’ (stop farting) while justifying livestock vaccination by comparing it to humans farting after getting vaccinated is outright disrespectful.
A leader of his caliber should not be traveling around the country making statements about parents needing to teach their children good manners or risk them being abducted,” a petitioner remarked.
The petition further claims that the President’s response to social media criticism of his administration is irrational and beyond comprehension.
“A young social media user criticizes the government and suddenly gets threatened by the President, abducted, or taken to court. Freedom of speech and democracy under the Kenya Kwanza administration are being crushed,” another petitioner lamented.
One petitioner also raised concerns about Kenya’s justice system by comparing two cases:
“A man caught with sacks full of dead bodies in a quarry was arrested and charged within 24 hours. Meanwhile, a government official, Didmus Barasa, who was accused of murder, has faced no legal action, and his case remains unresolved.”
The petition demands accountability and calls for a medical evaluation to determine whether President Ruto is mentally fit to govern. While critics argue the petition is politically motivated, supporters insist it is a necessary step to safeguard national stability.
The Supreme Court has yet to announce whether it will hear the case. However, the matter has sparked intense nationwide debate, especially on social media, where users argue that beyond unfulfilled promises and the high cost of living, corruption alone is enough reason to demand President Ruto’s resignation.
Corruption and Mismanagement in Ruto’s Administration
Between 2022 and 2024, Kenya’s political landscape has been overshadowed by corruption scandals that have weakened public trust and slowed economic progress.
Despite President Ruto’s campaign promise to fight corruption and promote economic reform through his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), his administration has been marred by allegations of mismanagement, political favoritism, and high-profile corruption cases.
Ruto took office with the promise of redistributing resources and power from political dynasties to ordinary Kenyans, the so-called “hustlers.” However, his administration has been accused of rewarding political allies instead, using a system of patronage to maintain loyalty.
One of the most controversial moments of Ruto’s presidency was the proposed lease of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to India’s Adani Group. The $1.85 billion deal, announced in March 2024, would have given Adani a 30-year concession to manage and modernize the airport.
The deal quickly became a national scandal due to corruption concerns. Whistleblowers leaked documents exposing flaws in the agreement, including tax exemptions for Adani for ten years, the importation of foreign labor at the expense of Kenyan workers, and a clause preventing the construction of competing airports within 150 kilometers of Nairobi.
Public outrage was swift. The Gen Z-led OccupyJKIA movement condemned the lack of transparency, while trade unions threatened strikes to oppose the privatization of a key national asset.
The controversy escalated when a New York court indicted Adani executives for fraud and bribery in November 2024.
Under immense pressure, President Ruto announced the cancellation of the deal during his State of the Nation address.
However, many Kenyans believe the deal should never have been considered in the first place. Critics argue that the administration only acted after facing international legal scrutiny.
Another major scandal involved the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), which was tasked with stabilizing prices for essential goods.
The government approved a plan for KNTC to import 125,000 tons of duty-free cooking oil, but instead of lowering prices, the initiative turned into a financial disaster.
Billions of taxpayer shillings were lost when politically connected companies were awarded exclusive contracts to import the oil. By mid-2024, much of the stock remained unsold in warehouses or stuck at the port.
A Senate investigation found that three companies—Multi Commerce FZC, Charma Holdings, and Shehena Commodity—were paid a total of $85 million despite failing to deliver any real benefit to Kenyans.
The scandal sparked widespread anger, as citizens saw it as yet another instance of public funds being looted while ordinary people struggled with the high cost of living.
“This was never about helping Kenyans. It was a scheme to enrich a few well-connected individuals,” stated a representative from the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
The Deep-Rooted Corruption in Kenyan Politics
Kenya’s corruption crisis is deeply embedded in its political system. Successive governments have relied on patronage, using public resources to reward allies and punish dissent.
President Ruto has continued this trend by appointing individuals facing criminal investigations to key government positions. His administration has also been accused of awarding major government contracts to political allies without competitive bidding processes, reinforcing a culture of impunity.
This has significantly weakened key institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Auditor-General’s office, and the judiciary.
Whistleblowers and investigative journalists trying to expose corruption face threats, intimidation, and lawsuits, making it harder to hold leaders accountable.
As a result, Kenyans have grown increasingly frustrated with their leaders. By the end of 2024, polls showed that 73% of citizens believed the country was headed in the wrong direction.
Protests led by the Gen Z movement have become a powerful symbol of public discontent, with young people demanding accountability and reforms.
However, the government has responded with harsh crackdowns. Protesters have faced police brutality, media outlets critical of the administration have lost advertising revenue, and NGOs have been pressured to align with government priorities, limiting free speech and civic engagement.
The Way Forward: Fixing Kenya’s Corruption Crisis
Experts suggest several urgent reforms to tackle corruption and restore public trust in governance:
- Strengthening Anti-Corruption Agencies – Giving bodies like the EACC full independence and resources to operate without political interference.
- Ensuring Transparent Contracting – Enforcing competitive bidding and public participation for all major government contracts.
- Protecting Whistleblowers and Journalists – Safeguarding those who expose corruption from threats and retaliation.
- Ending Political Patronage – Implementing a merit-based system for appointments and resource allocation to dismantle the cycle of favoritism and impunity.
Kenya stands at a critical crossroads. If real reforms are not implemented, corruption will continue to cripple the nation’s development, deepen economic struggles, and fuel further political instability.
The demand for accountability is louder than ever, and it remains to be seen whether the government will listen to its people or continue down a path of self-preservation.
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