Recently, President William Ruto emphasised the need for all of us to love our country, pointing out that there is no value in seeking populism by opposing everything the government is doing. I fully agree with him. There is a need to inculcate a culture of collective responsibility to invigorate our development and economy.
Yes, the government might not have gotten it right in a few instances, but that does not mean the Kenya Kwanza administration’s programmes are not people-centered or that all of them are bad. As citizens, we need to take pride in our country and work with the government to build it together for the sake of future generations while highlighting areas where the government is not performing well.
Constructive criticism is key to helping a country to progress, but it should not tarnish our nation’s reputation on the international stage as an unfavourable destination for investment. We must avoid scaring away investors with our comments, as doing so would significantly harm our youth, who stand to benefit from attracting as many investors as possible. Some neighbouring countries are beginning to eat into our share of foreign investments because we consistently project instability to the world, forcing investors to look for alternative destinations.
Dr Ruto’s government has initiated several projects that impact our lives, and we need to give him time to revitalise our economy. Reports from the National Treasury and the Central Bank of Kenya already indicate that our economy is on the right trajectory. With patience, these projects will spur economic growth.
Patriotism involves more than loyalty—it includes taking care of our environment, using public resources prudently, supporting government projects by paying taxes, and actively engaging in national discourse that moves the country forward. However, there are individuals who sabotage the country by failing to fulfill their patriotic duty of paying taxes, thereby increasing reliance on foreign debt.
This administration inherited numerous challenges; from drought to significant pending bills, which necessitated drastic actions to move the country forward.
I agree that the government has not fully delivered on its campaign promises. However, it would only be fair to judge this administration at the end of its five-year term. The past two years have been particularly challenging due to demonstrations by Azimio and Gen Z, coupled with shifting political dynamics. I am optimistic that 2025, 2026, and 2027 will allow Ruto to deliver on the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.
As leaders, our political ambitions should not outweigh the well-being of the nation. Opposing everything the government does for political gain undermines progress. When leaders embrace patriotism, those who look up to them will follow their example. However, introducing a culture that takes the country backward will have the opposite effect.
When a government fails in a particular area, it is both prudent and patriotic for leaders with better ideas to step forward with solutions rather than using those failures to push their political agendas. Using government shortcomings to elevate oneself politically, without offering solutions, shows a lack of love for the country. We need to build Kenya together for the future of our children.
Kenya is our only country, and everything we do should focus on making it better.
The writer is a commissioner, Parliamentary Service Commission
