Kenyan President William Ruto made international headlines after more than 40,000 people nominated him for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project’s (OCCRP) “Person of the Year” award.
The nomination comes amid a tumultuous year for Kenya, marked by widespread protests, contentious policies, and accusations of corruption and mismanagement.
Ruto’s nomination, fueled largely by disillusioned young Kenyans, highlighted the deep dissatisfaction with his administration. In June and July, thousands took to the streets, outraged by a divisive finance bill that introduced heavy taxes in an already struggling economy.
The protests, led by unemployed youth and civil society groups, called for Ruto’s resignation, accusing his government of perpetuating corruption and ignoring the plight of ordinary Kenyans.
Security forces responded with brutal crackdowns, using tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition against demonstrators.
Many protesters were killed, injured, or went missing, further escalating tensions in the country. Despite the government’s attempts to suppress dissent, the protests brought international attention to Kenya’s struggles under Ruto’s leadership.
While the OCCRP judges ultimately awarded the title to ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad for his devastating legacy of war crimes and corruption, the judges acknowledged the nomination as a reflection of public outrage at corruption and economic mismanagement in Kenya.
As Kenya heads into a new year, the pressure on Ruto to address corruption and economic issues remains at an all-time high.
