Ruto's crackdown on critics lays bare his authoritarian character

Kakamega Senator Dr. Boni Khalwale led Bushiangala residents in protest  on November 12, 2025 over rumours that locals might be forced to leave their valuable gold mining ancestral land in Idakho , Ikolomani constituency.[Benjamin Sakwa,Standard]

Three years into his tenure, President William Ruto has struggled with shedding off the tag of being intolerant to dissent.

From the suppression of protestors, abductions, to the removal of critics from his ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the unprecedented ouster of his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, the Head of State has been accused of using the cannon to kill a mosquito, but has consistently told off his critics over the same.