Campaign pledges prove a tall order for Kenya Kwanza

President William Ruto speaking during the the home coming of National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi in Suba Siaya County. [Michael Mute, Standard]

During the campaigns, it was promising galore. The old, the infirm, the expectant, and even the unborn had something to look forward to. Millions of Kenyans believed in these promises, eagerly waiting for President William Ruto to take the oath of office.

The hustlers—peasants and small-scale traders—anticipated a fund that would lift them from poverty. Kenyans also expected the establishment of a commission of inquiry into state capture, aimed at investigating former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was then considered a political adversary.

Gender rule

Other promises from President Ruto included reducing borrowing, cutting expenditure by Sh300 billion, and implementing the two-thirds gender rule by ensuring 50 per cent of his Cabinet were women. Women had further reason to support him after he promised young mothers three months’ worth of free diapers, in addition to pledges to lower the cost of living, provide affordable housing, improve the health sector, and create jobs.

Two years later, some of these promises remain unfulfilled, and the government is struggling to implement others, many of which were outlined in regional economic charters. For farmers, the introduction of Minimum Guaranteed Returns (MGR) sparked excitement across the country.

Ruto claimed that these charters would form the basis of a social contract between his government and the people, marking an end to the culture of political deceit and tribal politics.

“We want the priorities written in charters so that we have an agreement between the Kenya Kwanza government and residents,” he declared while launching the Nyeri economic blueprint on 14 February 2022.

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On 11 June 2022, when signing a women’s charter, Ruto pledged to provide all new mothers with three months of free diapers, assuring that the charter would provide pre- and post-natal care to mothers and children. However, this pledge has not materialised.

During his campaign, Ruto also promised to complete stalled infrastructure projects, like the Mau Mau roads, which he claimed had been delayed due to the “costly handshake” between Uhuru and Raila. Yet, following his election, these projects remain on hold.

Ruto used the high fuel prices under Uhuru’s administration as a campaign tool, accusing Uhuru and Raila of overseeing inflated costs through the fuel subsidy program. He promised to lower fuel prices if elected but backtracked after taking office.

“The price of fuel is not determined by the government; it is determined by producers. That is why today, fuel prices in Kenya are similar to those in Uganda and Tanzania. We buy from the same source,” Ruto said.

Despite pledging to establish a commission of inquiry on state capture to investigate corruption during Uhuru’s tenure, no progress has been made. Likewise, Ruto’s promise of Sh500 billion for lower-level agriculture to create job opportunities for the youth has not been fulfilled, and the price of gas cylinders, which he promised would drop to between Sh300 and Sh500, remains unchanged.

Critics, including Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, have raised concerns about the lack of delivery on promises. “People on the ground are asking where the roads, water, and Minimum Guaranteed Returns are,” Muriu said. “Two years is a long time, and some of the problems are self-inflicted.”

However, Nominated MP Sabina Chege argued that Ruto’s intentions were genuine. “All politicians face this challenge. If a village requests a road, it’s difficult to say there is no budget, even though that might be the more responsible answer.”

Ruto defence

Meanwhile, government leaders have defended Ruto, highlighting that the administration has steered Kenya away from an economic cliff. They point to reduced costs of essential goods, fuel, and a stronger shilling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as significant achievements.

Mt Kenya MPs, led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa, have blamed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for the administration’s shortcomings. In a statement, the MPs claimed their efforts to prioritise the region’s development needs had been undermined by politics.

“Our attempts to call the region to the orderly prioritisation of the developmental needs of the people have been frustrated by condescending threats of dire political consequences unless we support certain personal interests and ambitions,” the MPs claimed in a statement.

Despite criticisms, the government has highlighted its successes, including the Hustler Fund, fertilizer subsidies, MSME development, affordable housing, universal health coverage, and progress on the digital superhighway.

According to a report by Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo, 103,000 houses have been built under the affordable housing project, and over Sh50 billion has been disbursed through the Hustler Fund.