On Thursday, President William Ruto delivered his second State of the Nation address, signaling a notable shift in his approach to governance. The President positioned himself as a “listening” leader, emphasizing human rights, condemning extrajudicial killings, and acknowledging the need for greater accountability within his government. This speech marked a significant departure from some of his earlier statements, particularly in relation to police conduct and the handling of protests earlier this year.
Acknowledging Rights Violations
In a clear departure from his earlier defense of security forces, President Ruto condemned extrajudicial killings and illegal arrests, underlining that such actions posed serious threats to the life and liberty of citizens. “I have no intent to justify or excuse illegal arrests. Such acts are serious threats to the life and liberty of our citizens,” he remarked, signaling a shift towards a more conciliatory stance on police conduct.
Earlier, in June, after more than 20 people were killed during protests, the President had firmly defended his administration, stating, “I have kept my promise that there will be no extrajudicial killings in Kenya,” and dismissing accusations of abductions and unlawful killings as “fake news.” He insisted that all those arrested had been processed according to the law.
The Evolution of the Narrative
In Thursday’s address, President Ruto acknowledged that many of the disappearances reported during the protests had been resolved, with some of those involved in the incidents facing legal proceedings. “A good number of alleged disappearances have turned out to be arrests made by police officers. In such cases, the suspects have been duly arraigned in court,” he stated. However, the President also expressed skepticism about certain claims, labeling some of the disappearances as fabrications that undermined genuine efforts to address missing persons cases.
This was a notable shift from his previous stance, in which he had praised the police for their professionalism during the protests and dismissed accusations of misconduct as unfounded.
Human Rights Advocates Respond
Despite the President’s rhetoric, some critics remain unconvinced by the shift in tone. Hussein Khalid, a human rights advocate from Vocal Africa, expressed disappointment in the lack of concrete actions to address ongoing concerns. “The President’s remarks were underwhelming and, indirectly, an acknowledgment that the police were involved in disappearances. Instead of offering real solutions, we got the usual cover-up rhetoric,” Khalid said.
Government Response on Corruption Cases
President Ruto also addressed the issue of corruption, taking aim at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for dropping cases and for delays in prosecuting corruption suspects. “It cannot be the case that the DPP keeps dropping cases because they are unable to produce witnesses. There is no reason why corruption cases should drag on for years,” he asserted.
This criticism follows the DPP’s withdrawal of several high-profile cases, including those involving members of the Ruto administration, such as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Cabinet Secretaries Aisha Jumwa and Mithika Linturi. The DPP defended these withdrawals, stating they were in accordance with the law, but the move has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it reflects leniency towards high-ranking government officials.
A New Tone on Democracy
In a further break from his previous rhetoric, President Ruto emphasized his commitment to engaging with the concerns of the Kenyan people, praising citizens for “speaking truth to power.” “We have learned that listening is a full-time occupation of leadership,” he said, reinforcing the notion that he is a President who listens to the people.
However, his remarks were met with mixed reactions, particularly following recent tensions between the government and the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB). The KCCB had accused the government of perpetuating “a culture of lies,” particularly in relation to issues such as corruption, femicide, and enforced disappearances.
Contradictory Signals
Political scientist Kamau Wairuri noted contradictions between the President’s message of inclusivity and the government’s reaction to the KCCB’s concerns. “While the President claims to listen, the government’s response to the KCCB was far from conciliatory. The reaction was stroppy and belligerent, which undermines the sincerity of the President’s remarks,” Wairuri said.
Conclusion
President Ruto’s second State of the Nation address represents a significant shift in tone as he seeks to balance the government’s position on human rights, security, and corruption. While some have praised his acknowledgment of human rights issues and his commitment to justice, others remain skeptical about the lack of tangible actions to address ongoing concerns of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and corruption. The true test for the President will be whether his words are followed by meaningful reforms that reflect his stated commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
