President Ruto’s first year in office: economic struggles, judicial reforms, national unity and his campaign promises put to the test.
President Ruto’s First Year in Office: A Deep Dive
More than a year has passed since President William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya’s fifth president on September 13, 2022.
He assumed office during a period of economic turmoil: rising food and fuel prices, high unemployment, and a troubling public debt burden.
Campaign Promises
During his 2022 election campaign, Ruto promised to:
- End corruption
- Promote good governance
- Prioritize the “hustler nation” – the economically excluded
- Address ethnicised politics
- Uphold constitutionalism and the rule of law
Internal link: Read our explainer on Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda
Why These Promises Mattered
The rule of law and constitutionalism are foundational to economic planning and the equitable sharing of national resources. Historically, Kenya’s elite have weaponized ethnicity for power while weakening institutions and entrenching impunity.
In my book on Kenya’s political transition, I documented how this elite exploitation fostered dysfunctional governance.
Initial Reforms
Upon taking office, Ruto acted on a few key reforms:
- Eased tensions between the executive and judiciary
- Restored Mombasa port operations from Naivasha
- Granted financial independence to the National Police Service
But despite these early moves, turning around Kenya’s economy has proven much harder.
Economic Turbulence
Ruto cast himself as an outsider best suited to uplift the poor. Yet, a year later, Kenyans are experiencing:
- A weaker shilling
- Higher fuel costs
- Increased taxes
- Removal of fuel and food subsidies
One strategy – fertilizer subsidies – was meant to boost food security. Its success remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the Hustler Fund was launched to offer affordable credit. But its gains risk being offset by punitive taxation and inflation.
Internal link: Read our deep dive on the Hustler Fund’s real impact
Rule of Law
Ruto’s first major act was appointing six judges previously rejected by his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.
He also increased the judiciary’s budget, affirming a constitutional principle. However:
- The judiciary remains plagued by corruption
- Impunity persists among the political elite
- Critics, including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), accuse the government of disobeying court orders
Ruto has promised to end extrajudicial killings, but they continue. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) remains weak, and police reform is far from complete.
Internal link: Explore more on Kenya’s justice system and why it struggles with reform
The Anti-Corruption Pledge
Ruto campaigned on fighting corruption and even promised to create a Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
Yet no such commission has been established. This backtracking raises questions about his anti-corruption stance.
Unless corruption is decisively dealt with — through asset recovery, prosecutions, and systemic reform — economic recovery will remain a mirage.
National Cohesion
Government appointments have continued to reflect:
- Ethnic bias
- Patronage
- Nepotism
Some officials openly engage in ethnic rhetoric without consequence. This undermines Ruto’s promise to move beyond tribal politics.
While he initially opposed elite dialogue, Ruto agreed to bipartisan talks with Raila Odinga after violent opposition protests. These talks may lead to constitutional amendments — a move critics say is a betrayal of his campaign promises.
Final Thoughts
Kenya remains deeply divided — economically, ethnically, regionally, and religiously.
To lead transformational change, Ruto must:
- Rein in ethnic appointments
- Dismantle elite networks of power
- Reconnect with the “hustler nation” that voted him in
If he fails to deliver on these fronts, he could face a fiercely contested re-election — just like his predecessors.
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