US report details President Ruto woes as 2027 beckons

President William Ruto is grappling with escalating political, economic and diplomatic challenges, despite his truce with opposition leader Raila Odinga, a new US Congress report shows.

The report also claims Kenya is embroiled in human rights abuses that threaten to damage its international standing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The revelations are detailed in a recent report by the US Congressional Research Service (CRS), which outlines the complex environment Ruto must navigate as he positions himself for re-election.

Titled 'Kenya: Current Issues and US. Relations', the report says the Kenyan youth, popularly known  as the Gen Z, will for the first time have a decisive role in the next election.  

“Ruto continues to face calls for his ouster and allegations of corruption… as his government tries to navigate public opposition to new taxes, manage Kenya’s debt and position Ruto for re-election in 2027,” the report says.

The CRS is a nonpartisan arm of the US Congress, which delivers an in-depth and authoritative analysis to help lawmakers shape foreign policy.

Reports such as this often influence congressional decisions and bilateral relations, in this case, between the US and Kenya.

According to the report, Gen Z – who mounted aggressive protests against Ruto’s administration last year – could play a decisive in the next polls.

“More educated than previous generations, young Kenyans are using new strategies to engage politically,” the report states, warning that the youth are unhappy with the political elite.

The report says the Ruto-Raila deal has not allayed public frustration with the government.

“The Gen Z movement, which has described itself as ‘tribeless’ and ‘leaderless’—salient in a political environment long marked by ethnic identities—may be galvanising a broader push for greater accountability among elected officials amid growing disaffection with the political class,” the report says.

“What the political landscape will look like for the 2027 elections is still unclear, with a crowded field of potential contenders to challenge Ruto's bid for re-election, but the youth vote could be decisive.”

The report warns that incidents of renditions and abductions of foreign nationals risks tarnishing the country’s international image.

Several prominent cases were reported last year, including the rendition of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in November and four Turkish refugees in October.

In January, Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi, a prominent critic of her government, was abducted by unknown assailants in Nairobi but released several hours later.

“What role, if any, Kenyan security officials played in these incidents is debated, but the cases may tarnish Kenya's reputation as a relative safe haven in the region,” the report says.

 The document notes that President Ruto has faced turbulence at home, whose aftermath he is still struggling to deal with.

“Kenya is often characterised as a comparatively stable and democratic anchor state in a troubled region, but a new protest movement, led by young Kenyans, shook the country in 2024, sparking a political crisis that Ruto, elected in 2022, has struggled to overcome. Facing a heavy debt burden and the threat of default, Ruto tried to raise taxes, which fuelled public anger amidst widespread frustration with rising costs of living,” the report says.

Despite withdrawing the Finance Bill, reshuffling his Cabinet and the broad-based arrangement, the President is still dealing with hostility.

“Ruto continues to face calls for his ouster and allegations, including from former allies, of corruption, as his government tries to navigate public opposition to new taxes, manage Kenya's debt and position Ruto for re-election in 2027,” it adds.

The new report warned that the bilateral relations between Kenya and the US could be ruined by radical policies introduced by the current President Donald Trump.

It says Trump’s administration has terminated Sh29.08 billion in assistance for Kenya.

“Some implementers of US-funded health programmes in Kenya have reported that the Trump Administration's suspension of most US. foreign assistance in late January 2025 has constrained their ability to maintain programmes,” it says.

Since he assumed power in January, Trump has signed several executive orders, including those touching on health and the economy, which directly impact Kenya.

The report underscores the balancing act Ruto faces—managing domestic discontent, addressing fiscal strain, responding to rights concerns and preserving Kenya’s role as a regional anchor in East Africa.

It comes when presidential aspirants are focusing on the youth, as the 2027 general election battle shapes up.

Former DP Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday pleaded with Gen Z to get IDs and register as voters.

“Gen Zs, you are the antidote for ‘Kasongo’. The Gen Zs are the ones who will sort out this country,” he said.

He has since last year been making a clarion call for the youth to register as voters.

The former deputy president hosted young aspirants, university student leaders and elected young leaders at Wamunyoro residence. He has also engaged the youth on social media, particularly on Tik Tok.

Last Saturday, he met university students and student leaders from Tharaka Nithi county — the backyard of DP Kithure Kindiki — in Wamunyoro. 

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina, another young legislator, accompanied Gachagua during the visit.

“The issue-based approach that the young people have brought forth speaks to my heart and what I have always advocated for for all along. They have shared with me the challenges they face in the community and also at their various universities and the unresponsive dysfunctional university funding model,” Gachagua said.

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta — whose party has thrown its weight behind former CS Fred Matiang'i — has found himself on the receiving end from the Kenya Kwanza politicians over his call on the youth to take charge in the country's political affairs.

Uhuru’s brother Muhoho Kenyatta last Monday also asked the youth to stand up and challenge the status quo in the country by taking over leadership positions.

"It is their time now to grasp and take over the mantle of leadership and as such the stewardship of our continent with their passion, innovation and energy," he said.

Reacting to the remarks by the Kenyattas, youth activist Morara Kebaso said the family must be having a reason it is suddenly aligning with the youth. 

People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua was on Friday jamming to popular music group’s Wakadinali’s Tamashani hit at their studios. The video went viral on social media. She also hosted a Tik Tok live session engaging the youth on their expectations in politics.

Karua has also hosted young people at her residence, seeking to understand the challenges they face and the solutions they seek in government.

The government, which is trying to win back the youth support after the Gen Z demos and killings, has been undertaking youth-centred programmes in various regions in the country.

Late last month Interior PS Raymond Omollo urged youth to take advantage of the initiatives.

Kenya Kwanza-allied politicians have also been going round Mt Kenya for Bottom-up empowerment meetings, which are targeting the youth and women.

On Friday, the team was in Mathira, Nyeri county, meeting youths in the boda boda sector, sport teams and women groups.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data shows that last year, the country had 5.6 million youth aged between 15 and 19. By the time the IEBC reopens the voter register, most of them will be eligible to vote in 2027.

University don Dr Charles Ng'ang'a says for youth and women’s engagement, younger politicians and women leaders are emerging as key voices. 

"Many are advocating for economic empowerment rather than ethnic-based politics. There is a push for fresh leadership that prioritises development over personal political fights," he said.