Why Ruto's democracy pledge is under fire

President William Ruto, Deputy President Kindiki Kithure and Prime Cabinet Minister Musalia Mudavadi share a light moment during the Third National Executive Retreat at KCB Leadership Centre in Kajiado County on June 20, 2025. [PCS] 

A year ago, one of President William Ruto’s key talking points in his State of The Nation Address was the importance of citizen freedoms and fundamental rights, noting that these lie at the heart of both enterprise and democracy.

“Issue-oriented politics is not only a democratic necessity and a pathway to sustainable transformation, it is the most effective way to mobilise diversity for the collective national good. As the world reels from assaults on democracy and the relentless subversion of human dignity, freedom reigns supreme in our land and our democracy grows deeper and more robust by the day,” Ruto said his 2023 speech.

He added that the country’s governance system must be fit for purpose, capable of protecting people and their property, safeguarding freedom, facilitating democracy and promoting market efficiency.

For this to happen, the president said law enforcement must be robust, judicial integrity, efficiency and independence absolute and the right to the protection under the law nonnegotiable and impartial.

Ruto noted that things had changed, including a shift in the national political conversation from personalities to issues, from regional or ethnic largesse to opportunities for youth and hustlers, from division to inclusion and from the status quo to bottom-up economic transformation for shared prosperity.

At the same time, he said the country has citizens whose lives and rights must be protected and a nation whose security, stability and prosperity should be safeguarded.

He said that it is only by following the law that the country is able to achieve its aims and apportion accountability properly.

“It should not be possible for robbers and looters to escape accountability by claiming that they were taking part in protests. Likewise, it should not be possible for security officers to wound, maim or even kill innocent people and claim that they were engaging violent criminals. We all have a duty to make the necessary distinctions and do so clearly to protect democratic expression and guarantee public safety and security,” he added.

But amid strong assurances on democracy, the President has faced criticism, especially from civil society groups and the United Opposition, for not living up to his promises.

This year has been the deadliest for those who dared to question the government.

At least 60 people were killed during violent protests following the killing of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, whose only “crime” was exposing police corruption. Human rights organisations also report that more than 80 government critics were abducted for speaking out.

The United Opposition, for instance, has repeatedly accused the President of undermining democracy within political parties, a hard-won struggle, while citizens are intimidated for expressing opinions contrary to the government.

According to opposition principals, Ruto is presiding over a regime pursuing a policy of intolerance toward multi-party democracy, a situation that has seen the democratic space shrink.

“Our unity as a United Front is rooted in our collective effort and shared ideas to establish an alternative form of governance, one that is just, transparent and accountable. The governance system, in both its structure and function, which has been compromised and eroded, must be restored,” former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has repeatedly said.

Last month, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna warned that youthful MPs will no longer sit by while the country is mismanaged, adding that they are no longer afraid to intervene, including protecting public entities at risk of being sold.