Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-04 17:59:55
For the past few years, President William Ruto has been pushing a narrative that pits the poor against the rich in Kenya. This narrative has formed a crucial part of his political strategy, and he has used it to great effect in his 2022 election campaign. Ruto’s narrative portrays the poor as the victims of a system that is controlled by the rich and powerful.
Throughout his political career, Ruto has sought to position himself as a champion of the common man, a self-made man who has risen to the top through hard work and determination. He has presented himself as the antithesis of the political establishment, which he has labeled as a “dynasty” that has ruled Kenya for generations.
Ruto’s promise to usher in a “bottom-up economic model” and provide jobs for the millions of unemployed Kenyans has resonated with many voters. He has criticized the “trickle-down approach” of the dynasties, which he claims has only served to enrich a select few while leaving the majority of Kenyans in poverty.
However, almost two years into his presidency, Ruto has struggled to deliver on many of his promises. His pet projects, such as affordable housing and the Social Health Insurance Fund, have faced legal challenges and setbacks, leading Ruto to once again blame the “rich” for obstructing his agenda.
In his countrywide tours, Ruto has lamented how some judicial officers and privileged cartels have thwarted his efforts to create jobs and provide universal healthcare for the poor. He has rallied his supporters by painting salaried Kenyans as privileged individuals who are unwilling to contribute to programs that would benefit the less fortunate.
Critics of Ruto’s narrative argue that it risks stoking class tensions and starting a class war in Kenya. They point out that the majority of formal workers in Kenya struggle to make ends meet, with many earning less than Sh50,000 per month. Ruto’s attempts to divide Kenyans along economic lines have been met with skepticism and criticism.
Moreover, Ruto’s critics accuse him of scapegoating the rich for his own failures. They argue that the jobs created by his housing projects are temporary and low-wage, and cannot address the larger issue of unemployment in Kenya. These critics also highlight the inherent contradictions in Ruto’s rhetoric, as he himself is a wealthy and influential figure within the government.
Despite Ruto’s efforts to revive the “hustler versus dynasty” narrative, his opponents have dismissed it as a desperate ploy to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings. They point out that Ruto has failed to deliver on his promises, and that his appointments and policies have favored the wealthy and well-connected, rather than the poor and marginalized.
In conclusion, President William Ruto’s narrative of pitting the poor against the rich has been a central theme in his political career. While it has resonated with many Kenyans who feel marginalized by the political establishment, it has also been met with skepticism and criticism. As Ruto continues to grapple with the challenges of governing, it remains to be seen whether his divisive rhetoric will continue to hold sway among the Kenyan electorate.
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