William Ruto's new order
Kenyan President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta at the swearing-in ceremony in Nairobi on 13 September 2022. © Noé Michalon/Africa Intelligence

Running story
William Ruto's new order

Since coming to power in September 2022, Kenyan President William Ruto has sought to make good on his pledge to upend his adversaries' political "dynasties". Ruto is working to unravel their political and business networks, all while weaving his own.

William Ruto's new order
Kenyan President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta at the swearing-in ceremony in Nairobi on 13 September 2022. © Noé Michalon/Africa Intelligence

Kenya
Ruto woos opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka

The former vice president may have declined to throw in his lot with the current government, but the Kenyan leader is still hoping the opposition's new leader will tone down his hostile rhetoric.

Kenyan president William Ruto and one of his main opponents, Kalonzo Musyoka.
LogoSubscribers only Politics 15.03.2024
Kenyan president William Ruto and one of his main opponents, Kalonzo Musyoka.

Kenya
Turbulent Kenya Airways privatisation prompts government rethink

The national carrier's woes are putting off potential private sector buyers. As the government mulls reviving a different kind of sell-off scheme for its stake, the airline has put some of its own plans on hold.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Business 07.03.2024

Kenya
Ruto in open conflict with Nation Media Group

Kenya's leading media group is facing a wave of targeted attacks on social networks, while the government is clipping its financial wings.

Kenyan president William Ruto in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 13 February 2024.
LogoSubscribers only Politics 26.02.2024
Kenyan president William Ruto in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 13 February 2024.

Kenya
Ruto struggles to find new jobs for his allies

Dozens of the president's supporters reckon they merit government posts, far more than the number available. Only the most powerful are likely to prevail.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 09.02.2024

Kenya
Ruto-Gachagua rift over Lamu County governance widens

Faced with inter-community tensions in north-eastern Kenya, the Kenyan leader is calling for a more regulated sharing of power between the region's Swahili and Kikuyu populations. His Kikuyu deputy is displeased.

Kenya's President William Ruto (left) and Deputy President Righati Gachagua.
LogoSubscribers only Politics 18.01.2024
Kenya's President William Ruto (left) and Deputy President Righati Gachagua.

Kenya
Ruto explores plans to clip judges wings

Tension is mounting between Kenya's government and judiciary. The president reckons judges are trying to sabotage his policies and has called on his allies to draft a bill that curbs their autonomy.

Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi during the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Kenya's Independence Day, on 12 December 2023.
LogoSubscribers only Politics 17.01.2024
Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi during the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Kenya's Independence Day, on 12 December 2023.

Spotlight | Kenya
Moi family business empire struggles under Ruto

The president wants to reign supreme in his native Rift Valley, which is also home to the late Daniel arap Moi's family. The two camps have so far managed to strike a fragile balance.

Kenya’s President William Ruto speaks during an interdenominational prayer service in Nakuru.
LogoSubscribers only Politics 05.01.2024
Kenya’s President William Ruto speaks during an interdenominational prayer service in Nakuru.

Kenya
Ruto's clan determined to bag tea sector

The appointment of a new director of Tea Board of Kenya illustrates how the president's Rift Valley clan is advancing its interests. Meanwhile, Deputy President Gachagua is keeping a tight grip on the Mount Kenya region, where most Kenyan tea is grown.

LogoSubscribers only Commodity traders, Politics 21.12.2023

Kenya
Gloves off as Ruto goes after sugar sector rule-breakers

Public and private refineries alike are in the sights of the government as it tries to revitalise the sugar industry. They stand accused of diverting the sugar harvested by farmers from its intended use and of contributing to the current slump.

A tractor transports sugarcane into the state-owned Mumias Sugar refinery.
Free access Commodity traders, Politics 14.12.2023
A tractor transports sugarcane into the state-owned Mumias Sugar refinery.

Kenya
Education overhaul rattles Ruto's government

Between calls for boycotts and demonstrations, the transition to a new education system is crystallising opposition to the government. The education secretary is due to appear before a parliamentary committee today.

Kenyan president William Ruto.
LogoSubscribers only Politics 07.12.2023
Kenyan president William Ruto.

Kenya
Ruto clarifies stance on Israel and Arab League amid confusion and dissent

The Israel-Hamas war has reawakened deep divisions in Kenya's political circles and, after a string of diplomatic blunders, the government has had to spell out its position to ambassadors in Nairobi.

Kenyan president William Ruto.
LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 30.11.2023
Kenyan president William Ruto.

Kenya
Ruto between rock and hard place on mining law reform

After a four-year moratorium, the issuing of new mining permits has revived the debate between the different stakeholders in the sector. Local communities are demanding a fairer share-out of revenues and professional opportunities.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 30.11.2023

Kenya
Ruto wants to streamline international aid

The Kenyan government hopes to obtain funds more quickly, and in sectors that it considers to be priorities. A project monitoring unit will be set up next year.

LogoSubscribers only Diplomacy 29.11.2023

Kenya
Ruto's lieutenants at loggerheads in Rift Valley

Kenyan transport secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and the president's chief of staff Felix Koskei are jockeying for position within the ruling coalition. Both are trying to strengthen their political base.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 24.11.2023

Kenya
Ruto puts bid to control Standard Group on hold

Troubled media company Standard Group is no longer of interest to the Kenyan president, whose entourage had been seeking to acquire stakes, because of the difficult relationship between Ruto and the group's owner Gideon Moi.

Kenyan President William Ruto speaks during an interview in Nairobi, Kenya, 18 October 2023.
LogoSubscribers only Politics, Business 06.11.2023
Kenyan President William Ruto speaks during an interview in Nairobi, Kenya, 18 October 2023.

Kenya
Ruto opens perilous new chapter in fight against corruption

President William Ruto's good intentions in the fight against corruption in Kenya may be hampered by the delicate judicial situation of a number of his allies accused of embezzlement.

Kenyan President William Ruto.
LogoSubscribers only Politics 19.09.2023
Kenyan President William Ruto.

Kenya
Kenya coffee reforms pummel multinationals, boost local firms

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's zealous coffee reforms, aimed at giving Kenyan firms a larger share of the spoils, have hit multinationals like Neumann Kaffee Gruppe hard. They are also part of the government's attack on the interests of ex-president Kenyatta.

Samples of coffee beans sit at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange on 11 June 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.
LogoSubscribers only Commodity traders 18.09.2023
Samples of coffee beans sit at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange on 11 June 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Kenya
Ruto wants to renegotiate reform timetable with World Bank and IMF

The Kenyan administration wants to review some of its privatisation commitments without damaging its good relations with the Washington DC-based international lending institutions.

Kenyan President William Ruto and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), at the 'New Global Financing Compact' summit in Paris on 22 June 2023.
LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 01.09.2023
Kenyan President William Ruto and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), at the 'New Global Financing Compact' summit in Paris on 22 June 2023.

Kenya
Mohamed Jaffer strives to maintain monopoly on Mombasa grain imports

Working through the president's allies, the tycoon is trying to persuade William Ruto to not liberalise the grain sector. So far without success.

Workers uncover the canvas covering the grain transported on Grain Bulk Handlers' shipping line, Kenya, on 18 May 2022.
LogoSubscribers only Commodity traders, Politics 30.08.2023
Workers uncover the canvas covering the grain transported on Grain Bulk Handlers' shipping line, Kenya, on 18 May 2022.

Spotlight | Kenya
Ruto-Kenyatta tea war spreads to KTDA

The president and his deputy are continuing their purge of the tea sector, from which executives close to the Uhuru Kenyatta administration are continuing their exodus. The Kenya Tea Development Agency consortium is now in the firing line.

Harvesting tea around Limuru, on the eastern edge of the Rift Valley.
LogoSubscribers only Commodity traders, Politics 25.07.2023
Harvesting tea around Limuru, on the eastern edge of the Rift Valley.


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