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Move from promises to action
President William Ruto addresses residents of Mathare Constituency in Nairobi during his tour of the city on March 11, 2025.
Last week, the President addressed a series of rallies across the capital, issuing truckloads of promises. One of the most interesting one was the promise to buy a machine for the county government that would make one million chapatis a day. The promise elicited ridicule on social media.
The Kenya Kwanza government was elected based on several promises that it made to the people, key among them was to lower the cost of living. While on the campaign trail, President William Ruto and his team accused the previous administration of being composed of “dynasties” and therefore unable to comprehend the challenges facing the common citizen. To many of the “hustlers”, the election of the current regime was a moment of liberation. They finally had one of their own at the helm.
Today, many Kenyans are disillusioned by the current administration. Like King Rehoboam in the bible, instead of removing the heavy yoke from the citizens’ necks, the government is adding to it. It is this frustration that led to the Gen Z protests last year that almost ran the government out of town.
Almost a year after the Gen Z protests, things seem to have gone back to default.
Mind-blowing donations
Politicians are making mind-blowing donations in churches and displaying their lavish lifestyles while ordinary citizens continue to suffer the high cost of living and many graduates remain jobless.
Our education sector seems to have collapsed. The healthcare system is in a state of disarray with many patients and hospitals frustrated with the Social Health Insurance Fund.
The President cannot talk his way out of the challenges that the country is facing. No amount of public relations can sweep away the crises bedevilling our nation. It is over two years since the government was elected and Kenyans want to see change, not rhetoric.
Failure to fulfil the government’s promises continues to create disillusionment among the citizens and unless the government changes course, we risk going back to the June 2024 experience.
Mr Simba is an advocate. [email protected].