NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has etched his name in the history books of global anti-corruption discourse—albeit in an unusual manner.
The Kenyan leader garnered a record-breaking 40,000 public nominations for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) ‘Corrupt Person of the Year’ title, cementing his controversial global reputation.
The OCCRP, a coalition of investigative journalists specializing in exposing organized crime and corruption, has awarded the dubious distinction annually since 2012.
The title is bestowed upon an individual or institution deemed to have advanced criminal activity and corruption on a global scale.
Despite receiving the most public nominations in the OCCRP’s history, Ruto was declared the first runner-up, losing to deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The OCCRP judges attributed Assad’s victory to the “far-reaching and devastating impact” of his regime, which they claimed had turned Syria into a narco-state financed by organized crime, including the production and trafficking of the drug Captagon.
The announcement ignited an uproar among Kenyans, who had overwhelmingly nominated Ruto due to frustrations over his administration’s handling of key issues in 2024.
These included allegations of corruption, rampant youth unemployment, and a contentious finance bill that sparked public protests and widespread dissatisfaction.
OCCRP acknowledged the unique nature of Ruto’s nomination, describing the outpouring from Kenyans as “extraordinary” and reflective of global demands for accountability.
“Ruto’s government has faced accusations of greed and corruption, with policies that have fueled economic instability,” the organization stated. “Protests against his government have led to violence, arrests, and disappearances, further fueling public outrage.”
However, the decision to award the title to Assad despite Ruto’s unprecedented public nominations angered many Kenyans.
Online platforms buzzed with criticism of the OCCRP’s decision-making process.
While OCCRP defended its choice, stating that the award is determined by a panel of judges rather than sheer public votes, Ruto’s near-win has shone a harsh spotlight on his presidency.
Critics have pointed to controversial economic policies and governance failures as contributing factors to his global infamy.
Assad’s win was attributed to his regime’s widespread atrocities, including mass graves, chemical weapons, and the systemic spread of violence and corruption in the region.
Yet, for many Kenyans, Ruto’s runner-up status serves as a bitter reminder of the challenges facing the nation under his leadership.
The Kenyan leader garnered a record-breaking 40,000 public nominations for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) ‘Corrupt Person of the Year’ title, cementing his controversial global reputation.
The OCCRP, a coalition of investigative journalists specializing in exposing organized crime and corruption, has awarded the dubious distinction annually since 2012.
The title is bestowed upon an individual or institution deemed to have advanced criminal activity and corruption on a global scale.
Despite receiving the most public nominations in the OCCRP’s history, Ruto was declared the first runner-up, losing to deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The OCCRP judges attributed Assad’s victory to the “far-reaching and devastating impact” of his regime, which they claimed had turned Syria into a narco-state financed by organized crime, including the production and trafficking of the drug Captagon.
The announcement ignited an uproar among Kenyans, who had overwhelmingly nominated Ruto due to frustrations over his administration’s handling of key issues in 2024.
These included allegations of corruption, rampant youth unemployment, and a contentious finance bill that sparked public protests and widespread dissatisfaction.
OCCRP acknowledged the unique nature of Ruto’s nomination, describing the outpouring from Kenyans as “extraordinary” and reflective of global demands for accountability.
“Ruto’s government has faced accusations of greed and corruption, with policies that have fueled economic instability,” the organization stated. “Protests against his government have led to violence, arrests, and disappearances, further fueling public outrage.”
However, the decision to award the title to Assad despite Ruto’s unprecedented public nominations angered many Kenyans.
Online platforms buzzed with criticism of the OCCRP’s decision-making process.
While OCCRP defended its choice, stating that the award is determined by a panel of judges rather than sheer public votes, Ruto’s near-win has shone a harsh spotlight on his presidency.
Critics have pointed to controversial economic policies and governance failures as contributing factors to his global infamy.
Assad’s win was attributed to his regime’s widespread atrocities, including mass graves, chemical weapons, and the systemic spread of violence and corruption in the region.
Yet, for many Kenyans, Ruto’s runner-up status serves as a bitter reminder of the challenges facing the nation under his leadership.
