Ruto: Critics can make noise, I have work to do
President William Ruto addresses residents of Kisumu when he commissioned the Makasembo Lapfund Housing Project on May 29, 2025.
What you need to know:
- President Ruto praised his partnership with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the broad-based government.
- The Head of State pledged to continue uplifting the lives of Kenyans, especially those in informal settlements.
President William Ruto on Sunday said no amount of criticism from his detractors would derail his plans to deliver key development projects, promising that all Kenya Kwanza manifesto pledges would be fulfilled by the end of his first term.
“For those making noise, continue. But understand that I have an assignment for this nation and I must fulfill it as we have waited for many years. Affordable housing has been discussed for 30 years without implementation, the same with universal health coverage and I am the one to deliver it. I will not wait for anyone,” President Ruto said.
The President spoke after attending Sunday service at Church of Christ in Africa in Makadara, Nairobi County.
President Ruto also said he is ready to work with any leader willing to set aside political differences for the greater good of the nation.
At the same time, he praised his partnership with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the broad-based government.
“My commitment to the people of Kenya is that no community will be left behind. Mr Odinga accepted that we must prioritise our country. We have agreed with other leaders that, despite political differences, we must work together to transform the nation,” he said.
The Head of State said that his administration would continue uplifting the lives of Kenyans, especially those in informal settlements, through the affordable housing initiative.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja challenged Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli over his recent criticism of the affordable housing levy regulations. He accused Mr Atwoli of being insincere in his opposition to the government’s flagship project.
“It is unbelievable that Cotu can say building markets through the housing levy is misguided. If an affordable housing project is completed and a market is built nearby, what’s the problem? Families living in those houses need household supplies from those markets. Those fighting this project, shame on you,” Sakaja said.
Mr Atwoli had dismissed Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga’s claims that Cotu had been involved in formulating housing levy regulations, saying the union was never consulted.
“If the government had invited us for consultations, Cotu would never have agreed to the housing levy being diverted to build amenities and infrastructure already covered under the national budget," Atwoli said on Saturday.
“If PS Hinga claims that Cotu was involved, we challenge him to produce any written resolutions, minutes, or official correspondence from Cotu’s executive board endorsing the drafting or content of the current regulations. We have never received any communication from the Affordable Housing Board or from PS Hinga inviting Cotu to give input,” he explained.
The government is seeking to alter the regulations to allow for diversion of the fund to finance the construction of schools, markets, police posts and hospitals.