Dr. Kinity; Is William Ruto Targeting Army Personnel Because They Lack Representation?
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presser, Kenyan Military personel
By Dr. Isaac Newton Kinity
President William Ruto’s decision to withdraw certain allowances from Kenya’s armed forces is nothing short of an insult to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to defending this country.
While loans are being borrowed, grants are flowing into Kenya, and taxes are mercilessly collected from citizens, Ruto’s administration is turning a blind eye to the blatant looting of public resources happening under his watch.
Why then, should the Kenya Defence Forces bear the brunt of his government’s financial mismanagement?
This decision is not only heartless but also laughable, especially coming from a man who has been ranked the second most corrupt leader globally, trailing only Bashar al-Assad, the ousted Syrian dictator.
Under Ruto’s administration, Kenya’s reputation has hit rock bottom, and his leadership has become synonymous with scandal after scandal.
Yet, while his cronies are spending millions on luxurious belts and watches, the families of Kenya’s armed personnel are suffering in poverty and hunger, barely surviving on meager salaries that are now being shamelessly reduced.
How out of touch can one president be? How useless does Ruto’s administration take our soldiers to be?
These are individuals who sacrifice their lives for the security of this nation, yet they are being treated as though they are disposable.
For a Kenya Army officer to live a comfortable life, the minimum monthly salary of a cadet should be at least Ksh 65,000, an equivalent of $507.
Yet the current salary of an officer cadet stands at a paltry Ksh 24,520 ($191.40), while a recruit earns an abysmal Ksh 7,172 ($55.98). This is nothing short of a punishment for the armed forces.
How does the Ruto administration expect these officers to meet their basic needs? For instance, a decent three-bedroom rental costs approximately Ksh 20,000, food expenses amount to Ksh 7,000, and other essentials like transportation, school fees, clothing, and utility bills easily surpass Ksh 30,000.
Even with Ksh 65,000, an officer would still struggle to cover emergencies such as medical expenses.
This is the reality our soldiers face, yet they cannot complain because of the dire consequences that follow dissent within the ranks.
It is ironic that those who loot public funds without shame are the ones dictating these inhumane conditions.
The looting of billions from public coffers does not just hurt the ordinary Kenyan – it crushes every Kenyan, including those who serve in our armed forces.
What makes the situation even more egregious is that the Kenya Defence Forces have no union to advocate for their rights.
Unlike other workers in Kenya who have platforms to air their grievances, army personnel are gagged by a strict military code of conduct.
They suffer in silence while the political elite squanders national resources.
If Ruto’s administration cannot afford to pay the soldiers a dignified salary, it should at the very least allow them to form a union to advocate for fair pay and better working conditions.
Denying them both a livable wage and a voice is not just cruel; it is a betrayal of the very people who risk their lives to protect this country.
Kenyans have every reason to demand better governance. The looting, wastage, and corruption under Ruto’s administration have reached unprecedented levels, and now even the armed forces are paying the price. This is not just a failure of leadership; it is a moral failing.
It is time for Kenyans to rise and demand accountability. Our soldiers deserve better. Our country deserves better. And Ruto’s administration must either change course or prepare for the inevitable backlash from a nation that has had enough.
These are views of Dr. Isaac Newton Kinity,
With a knack for captivating storytelling, Amos Lumbasi has a talent for crafting narratives that resonate with readers. He combines meticulous research with a captivating writing style to create articles that are both informative and enjoyable to read.
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