President pays price of populism as he struggles with tax, truth and trust

 

President William Ruto. [File, Standard]

The tendency for presidents to lose their popularity shortly after winning an election is a well-documented phenomenon in political history. In 1973, John Mueller famously remarked that the best way for a president to leave office as a beloved leader is to resign the day after their inauguration.

This pattern holds true in Kenya, as it does in many other democracies. A quick Google search will show that President Mwai Kibaki is often ranked as the most popular leader in Kenya’s post-independence history. Yet, those who recall the dramatic political events following his swearing-in on Monday, December 30, 2002, at 11a.m.,...