Facing protests and backlash, Ruto says his presidency is bigger than the 5-year term limit
His sentiment comes after critics and opposition called for his tenure to be a one-term run.
Ruto, who has come under heavy scrutiny in the last year, has found his reputation go from a president with a hustler's spirit and empathy for the poor to one who seems distant.
Currently, some Kenyans have taken to the streets to p rotest the killing of blogger and educator Albert Ojwang in police custody, an incident which has reopened a nagging wound for the Ruto government.
Last year, Kenyans called for the resignation of the president under the Ruto must go banner, a demand which has resurfaced following Albert Ojwang's tragedy.
In light of such protests, critics and opposition have also latched onto the idea, condemning the Ruto administration.
The president has, however, publicly defended his term, arguing that his accomplishments should be evaluated more than his tenure, as reported by The Star.
What William Ruto said
'I will not allow anybody to define me in terms of time, terms, and elections, no. This project is not about how many terms you serve or which elections come this way or that way," Ruto said.
"I want leadership in Kenya to be defined by how much impact we are making and the transformation we are undertaking, and how good a foundation we are laying for generations to come.
That is what Kenya should be defined by; that is how leadership should be defined in Kenya."
William Ruto urged all leaders to make long-term decisions for the future and stated what he is concentrating on delivering to Kenyans.
He noted that his policies are for the next generation, not for tomorrow or the next election.
'We have wasted a lot of time; we have wasted eternity chasing the next election and the next most popular thing, and in the process, our country has suffered. We are going to change that trajectory by God's Grace, and this country is going to go places,' he remarked.
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The Hill
3 hours ago
- The Hill
LA Dodgers pledge $1M to support immigrant communities after ICE raid backlash
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Los Angeles Times
13 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
What the Dodgers can learn from Angel City about community
So that's why they're called the Dodgers. For the better part of the last two weeks, the Los Angeles baseball franchise has evaded calls from fans begging that it speak up and show support for communities terrorized by ongoing immigration raids taking place across the Southland. When thousands of Angelenos took to the streets for a series of protests, the Dodgers buried their heads in the sandlot and pretended the unrest wasn't happening. 'We're not going to comment,' Dodgers executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen told my colleague Dylan Hernández, who included the quote in a scathing column published Saturday morning in which he accused the team of cowardice and letting down their Latino fan base. But as the team found out later that evening, the issue was not going to go away. Before the start of Saturday night's game against the San Francisco Giants, Nezza performed 'El Pendón Estrellado,' a Spanish-language version of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' commissioned by the State Department in 1945 and composed by Clotilde Arias. In a TikTok video uploaded on Sunday, the 30-year-old L.A.-based pop singer, whose real name is Vanessa Hernández, revealed that she sang the national anthem in Spanish against the team's wishes. She also claimed that the Dodgers banned her from the stadium, an assertion the club denies. The incident became national news by Monday, and the Dodgers came out looking like a franchise that only cares about its Latino fans when it's trying to make money off of them. On Wednesday, after initially saying that they would not be commenting, a team spokesperson told my colleague Jack Harris that the Dodgers were working on a plan to assist immigrant communities, and that they would announce the specifics soon. 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'La Carencia' by Panteón Rococó – 'La carencia' translates to 'the lack' — and as such, the song captures the lack of opportunities given to the working class in a globalizing world. —Anthony Solorzano 'Pa'l Norte' - Calle 13 ft. Orishas – A vibrant song celebrating the strength and resilience of immigrants who've traveled far from home for better lives, while acknowledging the sacrifices and injustices they face. —L.L. 'El Mojado' by Ricardo Arjona – A poetic reflection on the experience of being undocumented, working hard and still not belonging where you are. —L.L. 'Gimme Tha Power' by Molotov – Criticizing government corruption is always timely, no matter which administration or time period. Mexico City band Molotov decry state agents who extort the same communities that pay their salaries, and make a plea for power to be returned to the people. — Carlos De Loera 'La Jaula de Oro' by Julieta Venegas – Mexican singer Julieta Venegas paid an electronica-infused tribute to the original song by legendary norteño band Los Tigres del Norte, 'La Jaula de Oro,' which translates to 'The Golden Cage.' The song warns immigrants that, while there's much money to be made in the U.S., it can come at a high personal cost. —L.L. 'Al Millón' by Los Dos Carnales – This song embodies a strong sense of pride and resilience, emphasizing staying true to oneself and facing challenges with courage and integrity. The lyrics express a willingness to go 'all in' and not back down. —L.L. 'The Star-Spangled Banner' by José Feliciano – At the zenith of anti-war and counterculture protests throughout the world, Puerto Rican icon José Feliciano performed the national anthem before Game 5 of the 1968 World Series and infused his signature sound to the song. His rendition garnered mixed reactions as some fans booed him at the park — and the New York Times called his take 'controversial.' Really, it's just beautiful. — C.D.L. Trump can command National Guard as California's legal challenge moves forward, appeals court says The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided Thursday to leave troops in Los Angeles in the hands of the Trump administration while California's objections are litigated in federal court, finding the president had broad — though not 'unreviewable' — authority to deploy the military in American cities. ICE issued new rules for Congress members visiting detention centers. 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San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Kenyan police officers arraigned over shooting a civilian during protests
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A court in Kenya on Thursday gave detectives 15 days to complete investigations of two police officers suspected of shooting and wounding a hawker during the latest street protests over the death of a blogger in custody. The officers were arraigned in court two days after the Tuesday shooting on a busy street and under the full glare of cameras. It triggered anger and fury over persistent complaints against police brutality. Tuesday's protests in the capital followed tensions over the death of the blogger, Albert Ojwang, who was found dead while in custody at the Central Police Station. Ojwang was arrested on June 6 in western Kenya for what police called publishing 'false information' about a top police official on social media. Police attributed his death to him 'hitting his head against the cell wall,' but activists have questioned the cause of death. Protesters on Tuesday demanded the arrest of the police deputy inspector general, Eliud Langat, who had filed a defamation complaint against Ojwang. Langat said Monday he had stepped aside and would cooperate with investigators. The two officers at the Central Police Station were arrested last week. The officers will remain in custody until July 3. During their court appearance, they concealed their faces with masks, sparking complaints from activists. Kenya has a history of police brutality, and President William Ruto previously vowed to end it, along with extrajudicial killings. Last year, several activists and protesters were abducted and killed by Kenyan police during protests against tax hikes. The demonstrations led to calls for Ruto's removal.
