Ruto under fire from analysts over Al-Shabaab links

Governance analysts Ahmed Hashi and Peter Kagwanja have jointly called out President William Ruto over terror links and skyrocketing corruption in the nation.

Speaking during an interview with one of the local TV stations on Thursday, August 14, 2025, Ahmed Hashi called out Ruto over reports that his government officials met with leaders of the Al-Shabaab terror group when five chiefs from Mandera were abducted early in 2025.

Hashi, visibly concerned, did not hold back his words.

“Former DP said that the President met with the Alshabaab, for God’s sake, isn’t that irresponsible?

And it is more irresponsible that Ruto met with these guys. I mean, what is happening in this country? Most Kenyans are just astonished,” he remarked.

He added that such meetings, whether intentional or casual, risk sending the wrong signal both locally and internationally, especially at a time when the fight against terrorism remains sensitive.

Moreover, Hashi warned that any association with groups listed as terrorist organisations can erode public trust and undermine Kenya’s security efforts.

He stressed that leadership requires caution and that avoiding actions which raise public suspicion is part of safeguarding national stability.

Kagwanja faults the corruption blame game

Turning to the issue of corruption, Kagwanja faulted the President for recent remarks where he appeared to blame parliament as the most corrupt.

He explained that such comments fall under what he called populist politics.

“We must understand the nature and culture of politics we are playing here. It is called populist politics. simple and clear. This is a blame game. What parliament are we speaking about?

“This parliament of uda party? If you are concerned about corruption, you can discipline them at the party level. It is the state that prosecutes

Why don’t you arraign the parliamentarians? The executive has no business talking,” he stated firmly.

Both analysts agreed that leaders must move beyond shifting blame to others and instead take direct responsibility for addressing the country’s problems.

They emphasised that Kenyans deserve concrete solutions on matters of security and corruption, rather than public exchanges that deepen divisions.