With domestic politics marring his polished international image, William Ruto offers lessons for other leaders
In May, William Ruto, Kenya’s president, was being feted by the White House at a glittering gala dinner hosted by Joe Biden in the first state visit by an African leader to the US in 16 years. By July, Washington’s favourite dinner guest was facing a popular revolt at home. He fired his cabinet and jettisoned tax-raising legislation after nationwide protests culminated in the storming of parliament.
Much of it was wasted on extravagant projects — including a $4bn-plus half-completed Chinese-built single-gauge railway — that have increased Kenya’s debt without yielding an economic return. According to Ken Opalo, an associate professor at Washington’s Georgetown University, Kenyatta added $51bn to the $22bn debt pile he started with. Servicing those obligations swallows an unsustainable 38 per cent of revenue.
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