President William Ruto has clocked two years in government and it has been a mixed bag of hits and misses. On September 13, 2022, he was sworn in as the 5th President of Kenya after a hotly contested General Election.
He came up against Azimio leader Raila Odinga and the former Jubilee administration led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He defied the so-called deep state of system after convincing the so-called hustlers that he would help turn around their fortunes.
The mama mboga, boda boda riders and common mwananchi believed in his narrative that anyone could achieve their dreams in Kenya through hard work, patience and tenacity. The yellow wave through his United Democratic Alliance showed dust to the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
Looking back, the small trader has the Hustler Fund, where over Sh54 billion has been loaned to help them support their ventures. How the small capital has helped their businesses is still not quantified and Kenyans will be waiting for results.
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The high prices of unga in 2022 have been lowered to nearly Sh100. Farmers had a bountiful maize harvest last year following government support, including the lowering of fertiliser prices from a high of Sh6,000 to Sh2,500. There was also a renewed government campaign for farmers to work harder in their shambas even as rain came down generously.
However, there was the fake seeds and fertilizer scandal where farmers bought substandard inputs. This adversely affected production this year. Several officials are under investigation over the saga.
Politically, President Ruto has brought on board his main rival ODM leader Raila Odinga after initial demonstrations against the 2022 results and recently the revolutionary Gen Z protests last June. This further strengthens the Presidency in Parliament, which means less resistance while passing government laws.
In the UDA house, however, there is internal squabbling with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua becoming increasingly isolated. Mt Kenya MPs are split down the middle with some openly attacking the Deputy President and aligning themselves with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
It seems the next three years will be dominated by talk of the possible line-ups for the 2027 presidentila elections. But that is expected because that is what politicians do for their survival.
However, President Ruto must balance politics and delivering his promises to Kenyans. He promised to grow the economy. Make healthcare affordable for all Kenyans, streamline education and make it accessible to all.
His programs, including the Finance Bill 2024, the new university funding model, new health insurance scheme and lately the proposal to modernise Kenyan airport through the Adani company, have faced huge resistance. Is this because of lack of enough public participation? Why the deep mistrust from Kenyans?
The president must get Kenyans’ buy-in to deliver on his campaign pledges and revive the economy.