Ruto’s One-Term Presidency Prospects: Analysts Assess
President William Ruto indicated on Saturday, May 13, that he would continue with his ambitious tax proposals for Kenyans.
Ruto stated during the funeral of former freedom fighter Mukami Kimathi that his objective was to increase tax revenue more than his predecessors.
Ruto’s plan has drawn widespread criticism from Kenyans, who blame his Kenya Kwanza government for doing nothing to reduce the high cost of living.
GossipA2Z questioned analysts as to whether the growing discontent would result in voter mutiny, making Ruto the first Kenyan leader to serve only one term.
Can Ruto serve for only one term?
Governance expert and High Court of Kenya advocate Dr. Brian Mutie opined that while the salary deduction was a contentious issue, the outcome of the presidential election could not be determined solely by approval ratings.
“Elections in Kenya are not won by a numerical majority;” Mutie stated. “As much as we want to appear as a democratic nation, numbers do not play a significant role in winning an election.”
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“It is difficult for a President in Africa to serve one term because they will find any means necessary to retain power,” he added.
Duncan Okatch, an attorney for the High Court of Kenya, argued that Kenya was in a democratic position to remove a president.
“It is a myth that it is impossible to depose a president in Africa. “It has been demonstrated that, with the proper electoral reforms, the people can express their will through the ballot box,” stated Okatch.
He added that while a president can do anything within his authority, it was extremely unlikely that Ruto would pursue this course of action if he lost his re-election bid.
“Past heads of state have established a precedent that will put Ruto under pressure to comply. For instance, former President Uhuru Kenyatta transferred power despite his lack of support for Ruto,” he explained.
In addition, Okatch cited instances in which former President Daniel Moi ceded power to Mwai Kibaki despite supporting Uhuru.
What effect will Ruto’s proposed taxation and salary deductions have on his tenure?
Mutie believed that it was too soon to judge Ruto and that the President had four years to establish a legacy that would define his administration.
“It is too soon to pass judgment on the President, as his term is still in its infancy.
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“Kenyans will evaluate Ruto on the ballot in 2027 based on his actions at the time. Mutie explained why it was too early to determine if Ruto would win the 2027 election: “Kenyans may express their displeasure now, but if the President uses the taxes well, he could turn displeasure into admiration,”
While agreeing that it was too early to judge Ruto, Okatch pointed out that his tax reforms and policies represented a significant political risk.
“There is nothing wrong with the president introducing new taxes to increase his revenue base, but the implementation should be gradual.”
“The proposed deductions will have an impact on every Kenyan without exception. This means the President runs the risk of losing his support base, particularly Hustler Nation, which he used to ascend to the presidency, he cautioned.
Even leaders who had previously supported Ruto’s candidacy have criticized him over the taxation issue.
On Saturday, May 13, the outspoken attorney Miguna Miguna warned Ruto that he was in danger of losing his support base.
“Overtaxing already overtaxed Kenyans without corresponding service delivery would stifle growth, industry, innovation, and transformation,” Miguna cautioned the President.
Ruto’s One-Term Presidency Prospects: Analysts Assess
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