A major setback came on Thursday when the High Court quashed the establishment of presidential advisory offices, invalidating the appointments of 21 advisors. This ruling strikes at the heart of Ruto's governance structure, which has relied heavily on these roles for policy guidance under his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Critics see it as a constitutional rebuke that weakens his executive machinery at a time when he needs unified support. Compounding the woes, Ruto faces internal party chaos within the United Democratic Alliance, where grassroots elections in 42 counties were canceled amid complaints, threatening party cohesion ahead of nominations.
Politically, tensions simmer in the proposed UDA-ODM pact, with warnings from figures like Ruth Odinga against rushing into alliances, while opposition voices, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, exploit regional discontent in Mount Kenya to rally against him.Sectoral pressures add fuel to the fire: a looming drought, budgetary strains from rising debt and falling revenues, potential public sector strikes, delays in health services like SHA approvals, education crises marked by teacher shortages and chaotic transitions, and resistance to state firm sales.
Economic hardships, including high youth unemployment and soaring taxes, continue to erode public goodwill, with analysts noting irony in Ruto's calls for optimism amid widespread pessimism.These mounting challenges deliver a significant blow to Ruto's 2027 re-election bid.
With opposition realignments, court losses, and sector-wide discontent, the president's path to retaining power appears increasingly steep. As Kenya enters this pivotal pre-election year, Ruto must navigate these storms swiftly or risk voters delivering a decisive verdict at the ballot box.
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