President William Ruto has told Kenyans that he strives to serve them better and is committed to deliver on his campaign promises in the remaining three years before the end of his term in 2027.
Ruto has downplayed remarks made by Kenya-Kwanza administration's critics, who allege he has failed on his service delivery to the Citizenry.
Speaking on Sunday, April 13, Mr. Ruto said he is Mentally fit to make the right economic decisions, insisting "Mimi Sio Wazimu" (not mad).
Ruto, took a jibe at those claiming his government has 'done nothing' more than two years since it's election, vowing to 'ashame' the naysayers with an improved economy, lower taxes and infrastructure development.
The Head of State, Exuded confidence in his administration's ability to deliver on its campaign promises, reassuring Kenyans they are set to enjoy the fruits of 'hardwork' sooner than later.
"I am not mad, I must fulfill all the promises i made to Kenyans during my Campaing. There are people saying we have done nothing, we will ashame them." said Ruto.
"We are going to make sure we acquit ourselves of every commitment we have made. Mimi sio wazimu, I know what I am doing. We will plan, execute and fulfil each promise" he added.
Ruto’s promise, according to some analysts, is coming too late because the majority of those who voted for him no longer trust him and has lately become politically unpopular especially on the voter-rich Mount Kenya after Gachagua’s impeachment. However, they say, Ruto must change or perish. “Delivering on his promises will be only his saviour in 2027.”
President Ruto rode to power on a “bottom-up” economic agenda, promising to cut taxes, give small businesses interest-free loans and cut the country’s debt appetite by downsizing the government.
Two years into his 5-year first term, Kenyans believe that his policies have worsened suffering.
Kenya’s crisis is partly blamed on the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed reforms programme to help the country manage its debt distress and cushion it from external shock.
IMF had warned that its deal with East Africa’s largest economy could cause “unrest in connection with protests against the higher cost of living, need to raise more taxes, and the electoral process supported by the opposition”.
Young Kenyans took to the Streets protesting the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed imposing more taxes.
To the protesters, IMF’s push for austerity only targeted ordinary Kenyans.
Ruto has been accused of wasting taxpayers’ money on unnecessary travels, totalling 62 foreign trips, 20 Months after coming to power –an average of three every month.
As the protests gathered pace, Ruto’s side failed to pick the negative sentiments on social media and local media outlets.
The leader of the majority in parliament, Kimani Ichung’wa claimed that “many you see protesting in Nairobi with iPhones, they call themselves GenZ, they come to the demonstrations in Uber, afterwards, they go to KFC and eat chicken. They even drink bottled water”.
The arrogance from Ruto’s side and several miscalculations like abducting perceived organisers led to the “mother of all protests” that brought Nairobi to its knees. When the dust settled, at least 23 protesters had been confirmed dead while several others were nursing gunshot wounds.
Since coming to power, Ruto has passed unpopular reforms, betraying his lofty campaign promises.
Ruto also failed to reduce the cost of electricity as promised during campaigns. In just two months in office, the Energy Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased the cost of power, raising the cost of production for manufacturers. On the campaign trail in 2022, Kenya’s economic decline and debt burden were key issues in the manifestos of the leading candidates–the country had borrowed close to KES8 trillion to fund a modern railway and roads.
In his first two years in office, the Ruto administration borrowed at a faster rate than his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta and spent lower on development. This is despite collecting more in taxes hence the growing public anger.
During his election campaign, Ruto promised to give Kenyans an affordable way of life by lowering the high cost of basic commodities. But he has been struggling to deliver on that promise.
Ruto branded himself as a champion of hustlers, the everyday hard-working Kenyan who struggles to make a living. But facing continual rising prices and his lack of explanation, many ordinary Kenyan hustlers tell JULISHA.CO.KE that they feel they have been abandoned.
While the people worry about their present and future, the Ruto administration has been reluctant to cut back on government excesses, lower taxes or create employment opportunities for Youths.
The average Kenyan’s position is clear: increased taxation pushes people out of jobs even as the cost of living rises. Companies are responding to the macroeconomic environment by shutting down or scaling back operations.