Ruto Must Go! The slogan headlining Kenyan gatherings

It has been a rallying call for all those opposed to President William Ruto's rule and government and it does not look like it is going anywhere.

In 2022, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former military officer who served as the 8th President of Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022 was forced to take a self-imposed exile after Sri Lankans had enough of his stale rule.

The South Asian nation had been deeply cuffed in economic mismanagement and the entrenched power of the political old guard by corrupt leaders, as highlighted by many vexed citizens.

This forced thousands of Sri Lankans to stage nationwide protests and overrun the presidential palace in July 2022 toppling a long-running government that they believed was the root of their burdens.

For weeks, Rajapaksa resisted calls to resign even after his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as Prime Minister to try and defuse public fury.

He had also appointed his younger brother, Gotabaya, as Defense Secretary (a position critics say he wielded ruthlessly), and two other brothers, Basil and Chamal, rose to become Finance Minister and Parliamentary Speaker respectively.

His tenure was vehemently defended by those close to the then head-of-state, despite a blaring alarm that the government's days were approaching an end.

Three years later, the Kenyan ruling government faces a similar debacle, threatening an extended stay for President William Ruto at the nation's helm.

Kenyan youth staged a herculean protest against Ruto's leadership that they lamented has stifled development and severely crippled the economy.

Protesters coined the now-prominent slogan "Ruto must go" which called for the ousting of President Ruto as many claimed that his leadership has proven to be incompetent.

Despite Ruto's move to shoot down the Finance Bill 2024 which proposed a heap load of unsavoury taxes, and firing his Cabinet, Kenyans are still adamant about having him out of office, vowing to not afford him a second chance as Kenya's president.

Government criticism then moved online, as Kenyans escalated censures against Ruto and his government, calling out every decision and utterance he makes. A majority still share the view that he cannot be allowed a second chance to lead the East African powerhouse.

The heaping ridicule has seemingly sparked jitters in Ruto's camp as his handymen leaders have been forced to chime into the matter, raising questions on whether they have sensed a daunting danger.

Men with Ruto's ears have been on the frontlines of firing back at those calling for Ruto's ouster, remaining confident that their boss will enjoy a smooth sail into his second run as president.

Daadab MP Farah Maalim, a legislator known for his reckless and inciteful sentiments, once used condescending words towards the youthful Gen Zs who criticize the government, asserting that Ruto will not be a one-term ruler.

"When you see everything progressing and then some fools say ‘Kasongo Ruto must go.’ To hell with those who say that! Is he sitting in your mother’s or father’s seat? He is sitting in our seat, and we will re-elect him; we will deliver 99% or even 100%. We are saying Ruto will stay until 2032," Maalim stated at a public rally.

His Kapseret counterpart Oscar Sudi, a man known to be Ruto's wingman, has also ridiculed online critics while referring to them as “wakora,” (thieves) insisting that despite their “noise,” Ruto is not going anywhere.

Sudi laughed off some of the attacks directed at Mr. Ruto, including the now viral ‘Ruto must go’ slogan, saying such calls were futile.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss believes that Ruto's adversaries are attempting to sell propaganda through the viral 'Ruto must go' trend.

"When people mention Ruto must go, they're trying to make headlines because the only way to remove a president is through an election or impeachment and you need to have the grounds for it," Shollei stated speaking to Citizen TV on January 14.

Mining Cabinet Secretary (CS) Hassan Joho has also joined the bandwagon, threatening severe ramifications to Kenyans venting their frustrations against Ruto's administration.

He said that the state will clamp down on those wishing ill on Kenyan leaders, saying that those involved are just idlers who want to misuse social media.

"Wakileta (noma) tunaleta...mkichoma tunachoma... wacha niseme na kama wamejam wanaeza burst. This is the only country that someone takes to social media anatengeneza hapo kaburi alafu anaombea viongozi mabaya na unataka tukuangalie? Ama wewe unakaa hapo you become an expert of everything," he said.

(If they choose chaos we fight back, if they incite we incite, let me say so and if they are mad let them burst. This is the only country that someone takes to social media, they generate a casket when they wish the worst to a leader and you want us to just let you be?)

"Nyinyi kuweni kwa mtandao; sisi tuko kwa ground ....na ukituletea noma hapa ndio headquarter...wakileta noma, noma....wakileta mbaya, mbaya!"

(You remain online and we stay on the ground, and if you bring chaos then here is the headquarters, you cause chaos we do the same)

Similarly, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah has implored Members of Parliament not to be intimidated when constituents threaten to send them home during the upcoming 2027 elections.

Speaking during Parliamentary proceedings in November 2024, the lawmaker noted that the legislators should be more concerned about how their lives will be after retirement.

"Many MPs are threatened especially around this time. You'll be told 'utatupata 2027, utaenda nyumbani 2027,’ yet you go home everyday. So nobody should threaten you that you will go home," he said.

"The question you should ask yourself is the day you will not serve as an MP, how shall things be for you so that you don't feel threatened by anyone?"

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has rebutted their claims, arguing that those in Ruto's close ring are living in angst over the shrinking chances of getting a second term in office.

Speaking on January 15 in a radio interview, Sifuna noted that the political contempt Ruto's government faces has eroded public confidence and tightened chances for another stint at the nation's helm.

"These people are very afraid. If you look at the pronouncements of the President and the people around his circles are speaking from a position of fear because they have realized that there is very little time left to change the political tides," he said.

"They are aware that they will not meet the threshold for him to get a second term so they are actually now talking about it openly seems to steal the election."

President Ruto has maintained that his goal for 2025 is to uphold progress, unity and hope.

In his New Year's message, he celebrated milestones he said his government has achieved among them the strengthening of the Kenyan shilling, a drop in inflation to 2.7%, and strides in universal healthcare through Taifa Care.

He further highlighted achievements in food security, affordable housing, and job creation, noting, “Our affordable housing programme now includes 873,000 houses in the pipeline, creating 200,000 jobs.”

“Despite serious challenges, we stood together, worked with determination, and overcame obstacles,” he said.

Looking ahead, he promised continued economic growth, increased agricultural productivity, and stronger healthcare and education reforms.

“In 2025, we will be busier at school and at work, better nourished, safer, and more secure,” he stated.

Kenyans online are still throwing jabs at the State, wanting a fresh crop of politicians in 2027.