Politics has suffered for centuries from corruption, yet some politicians elevate it to a new degree. These leaders stole, kept decisions, and annihilated economies to hold onto power in addition to turning the rules. We shall look into Kenya’s most corrupt politician in history in this article, how they got their illicit money, and the costs behind them.
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) named current president of Kenya, William Ruto as the second most corrupt leader in the world in December 2024.
President Ruto is the fifth and current president of Kenya and has been involved in a bunch of corruption scandals, including land, commodity, infrastructure, and procurement scandals, and other crimes. Many of these scandals keep coming up in public debate.
Ruto received the most public nominations in OCCRP history, over 40,000 votes. Kenyans demanded accountability, challenged a controversial finance bill, poverty among young people, and corruption. The ranking brought widespread criticism and attention to Ruto’s administration.
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- Land scandal allegations against Ruto have raised concerns about corruption. One example is the Weston Hotel case, where he admitted to involvement in a questionable land deal. Critics claim this represents land grabbing. Ruto faced accusations related to Ngong Forest and was ordered to return land taken after the 2007–08 post-election violence, along with compensation. He is also linked to the acquisition of 900 acres previously owned by former Vice President Joseph Murumbi, which has sparked questions. In 2020, over 3,000 acres in Ruai were reclaimed from developers tied to powerful officials, with Ruto’s name often mentioned despite no official records. In Eldoret, he has been accused of securing land through unethical means, a claim frequently discussed in politics, though lacking strong court evidence.
- Maize Scandal (2009)
Ruto was accused of being involved in the illegal sale of maize from national reserves while serving as agriculture minister. Though intended to assist with food scarcity, the corn was reportedly sold to politically connected merchants and fraudulent companies. Though Ruto denied involvement and was never tried, the controversy caused a massive public uproar. - Arror and Kimwarer Dams Scandal
This was one of the biggest financial scandals in Kenya. Billions of shillings were allocated for two dam projects, but the money allegedly disappeared through fake tenders and inflated contracts. Ruto defended the projects, claiming no money was lost. Although he wasn’t directly charged, many questioned how such a huge scam could happen without high-level knowledge. - Military Equipment and Tender Deals
There have been some reports linking Ruto or his allies to shady military procurement deals, including overpriced security equipment. These claims are mostly based on investigative journalism and have not led to legal action, but they add to the image of corruption around his leadership. - KEMSA COVID-19 Funds Scandal
Through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, billions of shillings were lost in aberrant contracts during the pandemic. Although Ruto was not explicitly mentioned, the controversy arose during his deputy presidency.He tried to distance himself from it, but many still see it as part of the broader failure of accountability. - Public Funds Mismanagement & Policy Grievances
Public funds mismanagement and unpopular policies have also added to the frustration. Many people feel the government is collecting more in taxes but not using it to improve their lives. Big spending on luxury items, bloated government offices, and lack of transparency have raised serious questions. Things like the Finance Bill and housing levy have hit ordinary Kenyans hard, while politicians and top officials seem untouched. This disconnect has made people feel like the system is rigged against them, fueling even more anger and suspicion. - Taxation and Public Spending
Ruto’s government has introduced heavy taxes, which many Kenyans say have made life harder. Critics argue that public money is being misused, and the extra taxes don’t match improvements in services. This has contributed to the perception of poor leadership and financial mismanagement. - Jacob Juma assassination
Ruto has been accused of being involved in the assassination of Jacob Juma, a businessman and government critic, as claimed by media, activists, and politicians. Juma criticized Ruto and the Jubilee government online and stated he feared for his life before being shot in May 2016. After his death, former MP Cyrus Jirongo suggested an investigation into Ruto. Juma’s mining company faced issues and accusations of corruption against Ruto and the Mining Minister. Photojournalist Boniface Mwangi also implicated Ruto and was sued for defamation, while concerns about Ruto wanting Mwangi killed arose in 2017.
Taken together, all these scandals, from suspicious land deals and shady dam contracts to public spending and appointments, have painted a picture of a leader surrounded by controversy. While Ruto has denied most of the accusations and has not been convicted, the large number of cases and ongoing public frustration continue to fuel the perception that corruption is deeply tied to his name. Whether it is proven in court or not, the trust gap between the government and the people keeps growing, and that, for many Kenyans, speaks louder than any legal outcome.
OCCRP Ranking
What is OCCRP?
The OCCRP stands for Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. It is a non-profit investigative journalism network and it publishes stories through local stories. The project aims to expose corruption, crime, and the abuse of power, especially where governments, business elites, and criminal groups are involved. Several OCCRP reports have led to resignations, arrests, asset seizures, and legal reforms globally.
More than 40,000 people nominated Kenyan President William Ruto for “Person of the Year” in organized crime and corruption. This outcry followed a controversial finance bill and rising youth unemployment, leading to protests where young Kenyans demanded Ruto resign. The government responded with violence, resulting in deaths and injuries. Ruto is criticized for greed and corruption, which have harmed health, education, and economic policies. Many comments expressed anger over poverty and healthcare failures. Gautam Adani, an Indian oligarch linked to a cancelled airport deal in Kenya, was also nominated.
Ruto responses to criticism
Ruto has responded to his critics by completely dismissing their claims. He has often dismissed such reports and said that these reports are politically motivated or sponsored by Western interests. He also asserts that he is capable enough to run the country and he has the education that allows him to understand the complexities of Kenya. He said:
When you see those complaining, they are people who I have no idea where they went to school.
I have a PhD, I understand what is going on in Kenya, what are these people with some little education trying to teach me?
What can you teach me?”
