A student leader, who hails from Kamagut—the same village as President Ruto—seized the moment to deliver a scathing assessment of Ruto’s leadership. Unlike his peers, who took a more diplomatic approach, this student leader chose to speak truth to power, unfiltered and with a sense of urgency that resonated with the room.
Upon receiving the microphone, the student leader began by acknowledging their shared history, recalling the time when Ruto was a Member of Parliament. Back then, he noted, the people of Sugoi celebrated Ruto’s achievements as a lawmaker. “You used to work for the people, and we admired you for it,” he began, setting the tone for what was to come. But the praise was short-lived.
The student leader did not shy away from expressing his disappointment with Ruto’s presidency. “You have completely changed ever since you became president,” he stated bluntly. His words struck a chord, echoing the frustrations of many who feel that the man they once admired had lost his way. He pointed out that unlike in the past, when people took to the streets to celebrate Ruto’s work, today, they are demonstrating against his leadership.
The criticism didn’t stop there. The student leader took issue with the new university funding model introduced by Ruto’s administration, which has been a source of contention among students and educators alike. He argued that the old funding model, while flawed, could have been amended rather than discarded altogether. “The new model doesn’t work,” he declared, insisting that it was a mistake to overhaul the system without considering the impact on students.
By Nairobi