From left: Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, impeached DP Rigathi Gachagua, President William Ruto and former Chief Justice David Maraga.
The political class in the country ushered in 2026 with sharply contrasting New Year messages, laying bare the country’s deep political divide as the march toward next year’s general election gathers pace.
Senior figures in President William Ruto’s administration struck a tone of optimism, unity and continuity, while opposition leaders painted a bleak picture of economic distress, institutional failure and what they described as a closing window for reform.
President Ruto committed to reducing by half the number of poor Kenyans and the jobless and pledging to implement ambitious economic and infrastructure plans aimed at transforming Kenya into a first-world economy.
President William Ruto addresses the media at State House, Nairobi on November 24, 2025.
“So let us be clear about our goals. We are committing ourselves to a measurable national mission: To cut the number of Kenyans living below the poverty line by half, lifting millions into dignity and opportunity. To cut unemployment by half, ensuring that millions of our citizens are productive, earning, and contributing,” Dr Ruto said.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki led other leaders in government in celebrating the New Year and urged Kenyans to look to 2026 with confidence, citing foreign policy gains under President Ruto’s leadership.
“Let us all re-dedicate ourselves to the patriotic duty of building our nation,” he said, urging Kenyans to remain committed to “a cohesive, united and indivisible nation.”
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi echoed that message.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula focused on Parliament’s legislative and oversight role in the year ahead, as the House prepares for the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth Parliament.
“The National Assembly remains firmly focused on enacting people-centred legislation, exercising robust oversight over the Executive, and ensuring the prudent and accountable use of public resources,” Wetang’ula said.
He outlined a packed legislative agenda, including consideration of the 2026 Budget Policy Statement, debt management strategies, and proposals to establish a National Infrastructure Fund and a Sovereign Wealth Fund aimed at financing long-term development and job creation.
Opposition leaders, however, struck a far more urgent tone. In one of the most forceful messages, former Chief Justice David Maraga, now a presidential aspirant and leader of the United Green Movement (UGM), cast the new year as a constitutional reckoning for the country.
“Our economy is in peril with more and more Kenyans being pushed into poverty, while a few live lavish lives from stolen public funds,” Maraga said. “The economy is working only for Ruto and his cronies.”
Former Chief Justice David Maraga at his residence in Karen on June 18, 2025.
Maraga accused the government of mismanaging education and health care, alleging that public funds were being siphoned through what he termed a “shambolic” health insurance system. He framed his campaign around strict constitutionalism, repeatedly invoking Ukatiba as the foundation for national renewal.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, now leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and a key figure in the opposition, used his New Year message to deliver one of the harshest indictments yet of the Kenya Kwanza administration, accusing it of economic mismanagement, corruption and the erosion of constitutional order.
“It is my greatest sense of hope that the year 2026 and indeed the next 20 months, Kenya will mark a great step in liberating itself from this trustless regime,” Mr Gachagua said, describing the past three years — and 2025 in particular — as “unstable, disturbing, and painful” for a country of “hardworking and resilient people.”
Mr Gachagua catalogued what he called systemic failures across government, citing rising poverty, punitive taxation, reckless borrowing, collapsed businesses and what he described as the deliberate weakening of public institutions. He accused the administration of presiding over “planned and budgeted corruption,” the grabbing of public and community land, abuse of the criminal justice system, police brutality, extrajudicial killings and the muzzling of the press.
Dr Fred Matiang’i, deputy party leader of Jubilee, described 2025 as a year marked by “increased cost of living, poor healthcare, high rates of insecurity, and unprecedented cases of school dropouts.”
“Unless substantial efforts are made in 2026, our country will continue sliding into the abyss of poverty and dehumanising living conditions,” Dr Matiang’i said, blaming corruption and weak service delivery.
Presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiang'i
He said the opposition would intensify pressure on the government and mobilise voters ahead of 2027.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga called for unity, dialogue and inclusive development, saying the party’s vision remained “a Kenya that works for all.”
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka adopted a more confrontational stance, dismissing political distractions and calling for immediate change.
“The time for polite diplomatic language has passed,” Mr Musyoka said. “Kenya is hurting and our people are suffering. 2026 must be a year of change — not change delayed or promised, but change delivered.”
Outside party politics, Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo offered a brief message of goodwill, wishing Kenyans “a year of fulfillment, blessings, and God’s enduring love.”
