When Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, he was confronted by Jesus Christ and lost his eyesight. Christ then came to Ananias through a dream and ordered him to pray for Saul so his eyesight might be restored for He had chosen him to be one of his vessels.
This Bible story has lessons for our time. Our country is on a Damascus road. Our eyes are being opened to see clearly. For the past month, the country has experienced weekly demonstrations. Kenyans, led by Gen Z, have met Ruto's administration on the road. The youth have made sincere demands on governance. It has been a trying moment for Ruto and his government.
President Ruto has made significant concessions. The events have proceeded with significant decisions. From the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024, to the dissolution of his Cabinet, the resignation of the Inspector General of Police, calls for dialogue and a conciliatory tone in his speech are some of the steps the Head of the State has taken towards cooling down temperatures.
Attending a church service in Nyandarua on Sunday, Ruto likened the current situation to what a woman in labour goes through. He asked the public to pray for him as he would be making hard decisions.
Like Saul, who met Christ on his way to Damascus, Ruto's encounter with angry and disappointed Gen Z was so serious that he had to involve the military to maintain law and order. He has so far calmed people's emotions countrywide with his hard decisions.
But he still has a lot to do.
He shouldn't take long to appoint a new cabinet. Like a woman giving birth to a newborn, Ruto's new cabinet should be literally new and devoid of politicians. It should emphasise Chapter Six of the Constitution on integrity.
He can choose at least two competent and qualified Kenyans from each of the former eight provinces for regional balance. Men and women who will not be bought or sold. Men and women who will stand for what is right no matter the situation they are in. A lean cabinet with zero integrity issues. A cabinet with people's interests at heart.
The President can end the ongoing protests if he makes these changes fast. The more he delays, the more new demands will arise. To calm the public, Ruto should also reorganise his party's parliamentary leadership.
Some of his troupes are still talking in tones that ignite more anger towards the executive. Listen more, talk less. Embrace dialogue. Ignore opportunists. Dismantle deep state. Be a darling of the citizens.
Make them believe it is those who surrounded him who messed up, not him. Maintain the reconciliatory tone in his speech. Ruto can reprimand public officers with integrity issues.
It took some time for some followers of Christ to trust Saul, who later became Paul, but with consistency, he proved to be true in his mission. With consistency in doing good to his people, Ruto will disprove the naysayers. The current crisis has given him the opportunity to unlock his potential.
With these and many more interventions, Ruto will get outstanding support from all Kenyans. If he maintains these for the remaining years of his tenure, he will definitely be the best president in Kenya’s history.