Barrack Muluka: Ruto runs Kenya as one-man rule with sycophants
Political analyst Barrack Muluka stated that President William Ruto’s lack of progress is due to his one-man rule.
Speaking to a local TV station on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Muluka opined that the president surrounds himself with sycophants and ignores critical advice, which is affecting governance and national development.
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Muluka said President Ruto operates in an environment where he considers himself the only intelligent person in the country.
“If they are intelligent, why are they not the president? I am the most intelligent person; I’ll not listen to anybody. If I bring you around me to advise me, please wait for me to advise you on how you should advise me,” Muluka quoted the president as thinking.
Cabinet reduced to sycophancy
According to Muluka, the president’s approach has resulted in cabinet meetings functioning as lecture sessions, with ministers and advisers merely echoing what the president wants to hear rather than providing independent guidance.
He warned that this pattern undermines democratic governance, reduces efficiency in policy-making, and stifles innovation in leadership.
Muluka added that the situation has created an environment where one person dictates key decisions.
At the same time, those around him, including a controversial figure he referred to as a “poodle” who crossed over from the opposition, simply reinforce his views. This, Muluka argued, amounts to a de facto one-man rule in Kenya.
Political implications for Kenya
The analyst’s remarks come at a time when critics of the government are raising concerns about transparency, inclusivity, and the role of advisers in shaping national policies.
Muluka emphasized that such a leadership style risks alienating stakeholders, creating inefficiencies, and reducing public trust in the government.
Political watchers note that Kenya’s democratic principles depend on consultative decision-making, accountability, and respect for diverse opinions.
Muluka’s warning underscores the potential dangers of centralizing power around a single individual, especially in a country with a vibrant political landscape and high expectations from its citizens.
