Kenyan academic and political commentator Fred Ogola has accused President William Ruto of personally targeting him and hindering his career advancement. In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Ogola claimed that Ruto played a significant role in his dismissal from Strathmore University, where he had worked as a senior lecturer for 12 years. According to Ogola, Ruto’s influence extended into his professional life, leading to his firing despite his substantial academic qualifications, which include five undergraduate degrees, two master’s degrees, a PhD, and 16 World Bank certifications.
Ogola stated that he had been repeatedly arrested by authorities under Ruto’s leadership, taken to Central Police Station, and had his activities monitored, despite no illegal actions on his part. He claimed that Ruto took a personal issue with him, leading to the loss of his job at the university. Despite his impressive credentials, Ogola remains unemployed in Kenya, questioning how someone with such qualifications could struggle to find work.
Ogola also revealed that he had been offered a deputy vice-chancellor position in Kigali, Rwanda, with a sealed contract, but his employment was blocked due to political interference from Nairobi. He expressed frustration over the situation, pointing out that he had no choice but to speak out after being left unemployed.
When asked about his opposition to the Ruto administration, Ogola stated that he would have relocated to Rwanda quietly if the job had gone through. However, the lack of employment options forced him to voice his concerns. He questioned why Ruto would remove people from their jobs and still expect them to remain silent
Professor Fred Ogola accused President William Ruto of frustrating his career. Photos: William Ruto, Fred Ogola. .
Ogola has been a vocal advocate for political change, focusing on issues like economic instability and youth unemployment. He believes the pressure on Ruto to address Kenya’s economic challenges will persist until real solutions are found. Ogola criticized the Ruto administration for its handling of corruption, stating that no amount of Cabinet reshuffling would resolve the country’s issues if the leadership remained incapable.
Ogola urged President Ruto to focus on resolving Kenya’s urgent economic problems, such as high inflation, interest rates, and the weakening shilling, instead of targeting individuals like him. He emphasized that addressing the nation’s pressing issues should take priority over personal conflicts.
In a related development, Ogola denied claims that he was behind the anti-Ruto chants at the Kenya vs. Gabon football match at Nyayo Stadium. He explained that millions of Kenyans share frustrations with the leadership, likening the protest to Catalans expressing dissent during El Clásico matches. Ogola reiterated that the focus should be on economic concerns like unemployment and high taxes rather than on identifying the organizers of protests.