ground work

Kenya 2022: Ruto goes to war with the media and attacks ‘deep state’

By Son Gatitu

Premium badge Reserved for subscribers

Posted on June 27, 2022 10:55

Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto attends a presidential campaign rally in Nairobi
Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto, of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), reacts as he attends a campaign rally after presenting his candidacy for the forthcoming presidential race, at the Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi, Kenya, June 4, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto is a man who believes he has the best chance to succeed his boss of nine years President Uhuru Kenyatta. During his meteoric rise, he has turned the heat on institutions that he believes stand in his way. Like US President Donald Trump before him, Ruto accuses the media of protecting the ‘deep state’ and the system. Is he justified? Or is this a populist pose?

For the past four years William Ruto has told his supporters how he doesn’t believe the deep state exists, and even if it did, his coalition with the people would surmount the hurdles planted in his way.

“They are threatening us that there’s a system, a deep state, that there are people who will rig us out even if you [Kenyans] vote in whatever manner […],”Ruto said in 2021. “We are waiting for those people, we are waiting for that deep state.”

He wants to label his main opponent Raila Odinga’s campaign as a state project, linking him to President Kenyatta who now chairs Raila’s sponsor political vehicle, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition political party.

With the race now down to four including senior lawyer David Mwaure Waihiga and former spy and lawyer Professor George Luchiri Wajackoya, the battle remains largely between Ruto and Odinga.

Targeting the messenger

As he walked

There's more to this story

Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.

Subscribe Now

cancel anytime