President William Ruto’s advisers have little influence over his decisions because he does not listen to their counsel, former trade diplomat Mukhisa Kituyi has claimed.
Kituyi said the advisory positions in Ruto’s administration appear to have been turned into rewards for political allies, who receive public salaries and allowances without playing a meaningful role in shaping the President’s decisions.
Speaking at JKL on Wednesday, September 10, 2026, Kituyi questioned whether Ruto takes advice from those appointed to guide him, arguing that his actions suggest otherwise.
“I don’t think he listens to them. That position of advisor to Ruto is jobs for the boys,” Kituyi said.
He said the appointments had become part of a system where political allies are rewarded with government positions and the benefits that come with them, rather than being brought in to provide independent advice to the President.
“You have been a nice boy to me; come, you will have a public service salary with allowances. That is where it ends; they do not give him any advice,” he said.
Kituyi argued that Ruto’s conduct would be different if his advisers were genuinely able to influence his decisions. He said some of the actions taken by the President would not have happened had he been willing to listen to those around him.
“If they gave Ruto advice, he would not be doing the things he is doing,” Kituyi said.
The former trade diplomat also said he expected Kenya to have a new president within a year, expressing confidence that the country’s political leadership would change.
“I expect that this time next year, we will be having a new president who will turn normalcy to the way Kenya handles vulnerable people,” Kituyi said.
He said the next administration should change how vulnerable Kenyans are treated, strengthen adherence to the rule of law and ensure people from neighbouring countries are treated with dignity.
Kituyi further called for consistency in the application of the law, saying the country’s leadership should uphold the rights and dignity of all people.
‘No guardrails’ under Ruto
Kituyi also warned that another Ruto presidency would leave the country with inadequate checks on the exercise of presidential power.
“If Ruto came back, there would be no guardrails on his presidency,” he said.
He questioned what Kenyans should expect from Ruto if he secured another term, particularly given what he described as the President’s conduct while seeking public support for re-election.
“ That mendacity, when he is looking for Kenyans to like him and elect him again, imagine what he would do if he came back,” Kituyi said.