William Ruto Ranked Second-Most Corrupt Leader Worldwide by OCCRP
The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has named Kenyan President William Ruto as the second-most corrupt leader globally.
Why Ruto Ranked Second in Corruption
OCCRP revealed that Ruto received over 40,000 nominations for the “Person of the Year in Organised Crime and Corruption” award, setting a new voting record on the platform.
Despite leading in votes, the top dishonor went to former Syrian president Bashir al-Assad for his role in widespread corruption and devastation in Syria.
Kenyans expressed their discontent by nominating Ruto, citing his administration’s greed, economic mismanagement, failures in health and education, political instability, and alleged abductions of opposition figures.
“The overwhelming nominations reflect public frustration and despair,” OCCRP stated, adding that the judges acknowledged the importance of addressing corruption concerns.
OCCRP is a global investigative journalism network based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Catholic Bishops Criticise Ruto’s Administration
On November 14, 2024, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) denounced Ruto’s government, condemning rising corruption, kidnappings, and violence against women. KCCB chairperson Maurice Muhatia highlighted the growing greed among politicians.
Rutoโs Move to Invite IMF to Investigate Corruption
A month earlier, Ruto called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to investigate corruption within his government. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced mandatory governance and corruption assessments for all ministries, parastatals, and departments.
Pressure from major IMF stakeholders prompted Kenya to agree to the evaluation as a requirement for unlocking financial aid.
William Ruto Ranked Second-Most Corrupt Leader Worldwide by OCCRP