President William Ruto found himself at the center of public frustration as anti-government chants disrupted two major sporting events—the Safari Rally in Naivasha and Harambee Stars’ match against Gabon in Nairobi.
The incidents signal a deeper shift in Kenya’s political landscape, where middle-class discontent is now playing out in real-time, both online and in public spaces.
For months, Kenya’s middle class has been caught in an economic squeeze, grappling with high taxes, inflation, and an ever-rising cost of living. Once a politically neutral force, this group is now voicing its frustrations more boldly, with “Ruto Must Go” chants becoming a staple in entertainment venues, social gatherings, and now, international events.
At the Safari Rally, President Ruto’s speech was drowned out by jeers, forcing him to shout his way through his speech before hurriedly boarding a KDF helicopter to Nairobi. But even in the capital, the hostility continued.
Ahead of the Harambee Stars match, viral videos captured fans chanting slogans denouncing the government’s policies. Despite the charged atmosphere, protocol prevailed, and the President took his seat alongside Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, key government officials, and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
While Ruto has dismissed these public outbursts as “hooliganism” and the work of “enemies of progress,” analysts argue that they reflect a genuine middle-class revolt.
Professionals, entrepreneurs, and young urban voters—once seen as the backbone of economic growth—are increasingly questioning the administration’s priorities. With heavy taxation on essentials, businesses struggling to stay afloat, and job losses mounting, the economic pressures are becoming unbearable.
Multi-Million Offerings
Adding fuel to the fire is Ruto’s continued multimillion-dollar donations to churches, a move that has sparked backlash.
Recently, protests erupted in Roysambu, where a group threatened to storm Jesus Winner Ministry over a controversial Ksh 120 million pledge to build a church. Despite the uproar, the President has remained defiant, declaring that building churches is his calling and he will not back down.
As frustration mounts, Kenya’s middle class is no longer content with passive complaints. Social media activism has turned into street protests, online petitions into real-life mobilization. With 2027 fast approaching, the government can no longer afford to ignore this growing wave of dissent particularly among the moneyed middle class.
