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Civil society's harsh midterm scorecard for Ruto
President William Ruto.
What you need to know:
- The first area of concern highlighted was the growing trend of state-sponsored violence and repression.
- The second major failure cited was the deterioration of socio-economic rights, especially in health and education.
A consortium of 15 civil society organisations has strongly criticised the Kenyan government for systemic failures across key national sectors, including health, education, housing, and public accountability - claims that the government has refuted saying it has outdone itself since getting into office.
In a press briefing held in Nairobi, the groups accused the William Ruto administration of state repression, corruption, and abandonment of socio-economic rights, painting a bleak picture of Kenya’s current governance.
The organisations, which include the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Article 19 Eastern Africa, Civic-Freedoms Forum, and others, claimed that the government has not only failed to uphold constitutional responsibilities but is actively undermining basic freedoms and social welfare.
The first area of concern highlighted was the growing trend of state-sponsored violence and repression.
According to a 2024 report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), security forces killed at least 63 people and injured over 600 others during the youth-led "Gen Z" protests. Additionally, 1,376 protesters were arbitrarily arrested and 74 individuals forcibly disappeared.
“To date, 26 people who disappeared are still missing, and the culprits are yet to be held to account… The units responsible for these atrocities, according to the Human Rights Watch, were allegedly drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, supported by the Rapid Deployment Unit under the Administration Police,” said KHRC Executive Director Davis Malombe.
Nerima Wako, Executive Director of Siasa Place, expressed her concern with the ear-zero accountability from the government in dealing with the activation of political goons to disrupt protests and political discourses across the country, warning that political intolerance could taint the 2027 elections.
“We demand the government to disband and prosecute all outlawed gangs and political goon squads used to disrupt public events, protests and political gatherings.”
IMLU Executive Director Grace Wangechi criticised police for neglecting to protect citizens during political events.
“Where were the police when people were being harassed during the tours by the President (William Ruto)? This is irresponsible leadership. As Kenyans, we have a moral and constitutional duty to hold our government to account,” she stated.
The groups also demanded the criminalisation of femicide under the Penal Code, arguing it would strengthen legal protections against gender-based violence.
The second major failure cited was the deterioration of socio-economic rights, especially in health and education. Civil society leaders described Kenya’s education system as "collapsing," with every tier, from early childhood to university, plagued by underfunding and mismanagement.
“At the national level, basic education is plagued by curriculum confusion, deteriorating infrastructure and chronic underfunding,” said KHRC Deputy Executive Director Cornelius Oduor.
In the health sector, the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) was described as a disaster.
Though the government claims to have registered 19 million Kenyans under SHA, only about four million—mostly in formal employment—actively contribute.
The organisations demanded a full audit of the transition, the clearance of pending bills to health service providers, and urgent action to guarantee universal healthcare. “The health sector… has effectively collapsed,” they said.
In housing, the groups expressed concern over the Business Laws (Amendment) Bill, which proposes reducing the notice period for loan defaults and foreclosures under the Affordable Housing Program.
“The intended beneficiaries are low-income Kenyans, some of whom vacated informal shelters to pave way for these projects and have been promised the first right of purchase. Instead of receiving legal protection, they now risk being stripped of their homes more swiftly,” Waringa Wahome from the Mathare Social Justice Centre, said.
Ms Wahome also criticised the inefficiencies at the Land Registry despite the digitisation of land records. The organisations called for immediate issuance of title deeds and a fix to the broken land management system.
Freedom of expression and assembly, the civil society organisations said, is under siege. Catherine Mbui from Article 19 Eastern Africa highlighted proposed legislation like the Assemblies and Demonstration Bill and the stalled Whistleblower Protection Bill as worrying developments.
“The Parliament must withdraw the repressive Public Assemblies and Demonstration Bill and align legislation with Article 37 of the constitution and international human rights standards. It must also ensure police provide facilitative, not repressive, support during public demonstrations,” she said.
The police teargassing of students from Butere Girls during the National Drama Festival in Nakuru was cited as a blatant attack on children and artistic freedom. The civil society groups condemned the incident as “a reprisal of freedom of expression and a direct attack on art and creativity.”
On public finance, the lobby groups decried widespread corruption, citing it as a key factor strangling the country’s development. Transparency International Executive Director Sheila Masinde said:
“State capture has repurposed the Presidency and Treasury into a temporary zone for personalized appropriation,” she said.
She referenced inflated costs in mega infrastructure projects and the absence of credible audits, coupled with allegations of “contracts being signed in airport corridors, and there are backdoor dealings on housing, health, and digital public infrastructure” only make the situation murkier.
In response to the damning claims, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura defended the administration, insisting that the Kenya Kwanza government has “outdone itself” under difficult circumstances.
“I can say this with a lot of certainty — this administration has outdone itself,” Mwaura said, dismissing criticism as propaganda.
He noted that despite earlier claims that the government would not last a year, it has survived for two and a half years.
He acknowledged issues with the SHA, saying, “It is true that Kenyans are frustrated because despite being registered, many still pay out of pocket. These problems are being resolved.”
On the economy, Mwaura pointed to the recovery of the Kenyan shilling, which had improved from Sh160 to below Sh130 against the US dollar. He projected it could reach Sh100, which would reduce fuel prices.
Mwaura also addressed the Nakuru drama festival incident, accusing former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala of inciting students for political gain.
“Why would children chant ‘Ruto must go’? Who incited them? This is misuse of schools for political gain,” he said, adding that investigations into the police’s actions were ongoing.
On allegations of new taxes, Mwaura dismissed them as misinformation, clarifying that no Finance Bill had been tabled adding that any revenue-raising measures would undergo public participation once the draft is released after April.