Tribalism, Goons & Leadership: Ruto’s Raw Words and Kenya’s Burning Truth

“Moi, Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta were all presidents before me. So what’s all the fuss about? Why are all these problems being brought to me? Why didn’t Kibaki and Uhuru get this kind of treatment? Let’s end all the contempt and tribalism.”
— President William Ruto, 9th July 2025

"Anyone who burns other people’s businesses should be shot in the leg."
— President Ruto, as quoted by @kisiifinesttt

 KBN Breakdown: What’s Going On?

In one day, President Ruto has:

• Defended himself against what he calls "unfair scrutiny and tribal contempt"

• Issued a harsh warning to economic saboteurs amid rising unrest

• Triggered a nationwide reflection on justice, identity, and leadership

Let’s unpack this, not through emotions — but through truth, logic, and numbers.

 PART 1: “Why All the Fuss?” – Ruto’s Plea for Perspective

Ruto’s statement reveals a deeper frustration: a leader who feels singled out. According to him, his predecessors — Moi, Kibaki, and Uhuru — were not subject to the same tribal insults, social media attacks, or economic resistance.

But is he wrong?

Let’s consider:

The scrutiny, tribal narrative, and goonism seem to be at an all-time high. Some critics point to his hustler identity, others to ethnic lines.

But the truth is: Kenya hasn’t healed, and we project our pain onto whoever’s in power.

PART 2: “Shoot Them in the Leg” – The War on Goons

Ruto's second bombshell wasn’t diplomatic. It was decisive. Calling for violence against looters isn’t standard presidential language — but neither is burning shops or attacking businesses during protests.

His quote, “Anyone who burns other people’s businesses should be shot in the leg”, speaks to:

• A frustrated government, losing patience

• A leader betting on force over finesse

• A nation where rule of law is failing to deter goonism

KBN Fact Check:
In the last 60 days, over 1,230 small businesses have reported damage or looting during protests. The majority were minority-owned or situated in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Nakuru.

This isn’t just about opposition protests — it’s economic warfare at the grassroots.

The Tribalism Equation: Are We Making Enemies of Our Own?

The viral hashtag #WeAreAllKikuyus emerged shortly after footage of Kikuyu-owned businesses being torched in politically-charged areas.

And just like that, Kenya's tribal fault lines cracked open again:

• Kikuyus feel targeted for perceived historical privilege.

• Luos feel marginalized in opposition politics.

• Kalenjins feel attacked when their son leads.

And yet — we're all broke, all angry, all Kenyan. 

Ruto’s call to end tribal contempt isn’t just self-defense. It’s a challenge:

“Can we judge a leader by leadership, not lineage?”

KBN’s 3-Point Takeaway

1. Ruto is Not Just Complaining — He’s Exposing Kenya’s Broken Mirror.
Leadership isn’t Kenya’s only crisis. Our tribal obsession is. Every regime becomes a tribal warzone.

2. The War on Goons is Not Just About Law — It’s About Livelihoods.
Ruto’s harsh warning is brutal — but so are job losses, burned matatus, and shop looting. Kenyans want order, not riots.

3. Kenya Needs Healing Before Elections. Or We’ll Burn Again.
The contempt, the violence, the mistrust — it’s a ticking time bomb. 2027 is around the corner. And the fire’s already lit.

This is Kenya By Numbers. We don’t side with power. We side with truth.

Ruto may be flawed. But he’s not wrong to say:

"Tribalism and contempt are killing us more than taxes."

And if we don’t start judging policies instead of surnames, goons will keep burning our futures, and leaders will keep choosing bullets over balance.