Kenya's leader raises his global profile. At home, public smoke.

President William Ruto has attracted international attention as a climate champion and peace broker, but he faces domestic discontent over the rise in food and fuel prices, as well as new taxes.
He has made dozens of trips abroad to strengthen his knowledge of of climate change, while increasing taxes in his country. He pledged to send his country's police to quell gang violence in Haiti, even though it is accused of brutality at home. And he recently hosted an eight-course state dinner for King Charles III, amid soaring food and fuel prices.
The President of Kenya, William Ruto, faces strong criticism and a growing public. anger, a little more than a year after coming to power after highly contested elections. Growing discontent has shaken the East African country, a close Western ally that has long been an economic powerhouse and a pillar of stability in a tumultuous region.
Mr. Ruto, who grew up poor and attended school barefoot, campaigned on a platform to improve the economy for millions of struggling Kenyans, whom he called "scammers." But today, even some of his most ardent supporters say the president, a wealthy businessman, has made life more difficult by imposing higher taxes, removing fuel subsidies and raising the price of electricity.
“The president is a liar, a serial liar,” said Antony Ikonya Mwaniki, a former local official in Kiambu county, north of the capital Nairobi, where Mr Ruto held his final campaign rally last year. Mr Mwaniki, who worked closely with Mr Ruto and his allies, said he apologized to the voters he convinced to vote for Mr Ruto.
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World Nov 29, 2023 0 45 Add to Reading List

President William Ruto has attracted international attention as a climate champion and peace broker, but he faces domestic discontent over the rise in food and fuel prices, as well as new taxes.

He has made dozens of trips abroad to strengthen his knowledge of of climate change, while increasing taxes in his country. He pledged to send his country's police to quell gang violence in Haiti, even though it is accused of brutality at home. And he recently hosted an eight-course state dinner for King Charles III, amid soaring food and fuel prices.

The President of Kenya, William Ruto, faces strong criticism and a growing public. anger, a little more than a year after coming to power after highly contested elections. Growing discontent has shaken the East African country, a close Western ally that has long been an economic powerhouse and a pillar of stability in a tumultuous region.

Mr. Ruto, who grew up poor and attended school barefoot, campaigned on a platform to improve the economy for millions of struggling Kenyans, whom he called "scammers." But today, even some of his most ardent supporters say the president, a wealthy businessman, has made life more difficult by imposing higher taxes, removing fuel subsidies and raising the price of electricity.

“The president is a liar, a serial liar,” said Antony Ikonya Mwaniki, a former local official in Kiambu county, north of the capital Nairobi, where Mr Ruto held his final campaign rally last year. Mr Mwaniki, who worked closely with Mr Ruto and his allies, said he apologized to the voters he convinced to vote for Mr Ruto.

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