President William Ruto addresses the nation during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on December 12, 2024
President William Ruto on Thursday put his critics on notice, reaffirming his Kenya Kwanza administration's commitment to delivering on campaign promises as he vowed to prove his detractors wrong.
Emphasising his determination to silence critics, the President vowed to prioritise Kenya Kwanza's transformative policies and prove his critics wrong once and for all.
Amid growing public criticism of his administration, the Head of State stressed the need to "engage on the basis of facts and truth", even as he vowed to continue promoting inclusion and widening the space for collective engagement.
Majority of Kenyans, including the Church, have accused Dr Ruto of running a government of lies and implementing policies that have only impoverished the public.
The head of State has also come under intense criticism over abductions and alleged killings of anti-government protesters and was recently forced to withdraw the multi-billion dollar Adani deals.
But speaking at the 61st Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Dr Ruto remained upbeat, insisting he was determined to change the country for posterity.
"We encourage everyone, including our critics, to engage on the basis of facts and truth. If some of us persist in the culture of reckless negativity, how long will cynics mobilise Kenyans to deny facts they can touch, feel and see?" the President posed.
"What will they say in a few weeks when we start handing over keys to new owners of affordable housing units? What will they say about the thousands of plumbers, electricians, teachers, health workers, construction workers, digital workers and many more who are already at work, including the 300 young men and women who were sent off yesterday (Wednesday) by my deputy to work abroad?" he continued.
The President said he is confident that his strategies will bear fruit and that the work he is doing will come to fruition.
"I count myself as one of many millions of Kenyans who want the best for our nation and all its people, and who are committed to making the necessary efforts to realise our dreams. We are driven by strong hope and unwavering optimism, and an unwavering desire to reach for a better tomorrow. It is a confidence that is based on understanding, hope that is based on truth and optimism that is based on facts," the President said.
The Head of State encouraged positive criticism in order to preserve the country's essential character as an open and free democratic society.
"This means that we must also do all we can to ensure that our political competition and rivalry never degenerate into a contest to attack democracy, oppose development and demoralise the people. We must remember that whatever else sets us apart, we are united by the desire to achieve the best for Kenya and its people," he said.
The head of state, his deputy Prof Kithure Kindiki and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja underscored the need for inclusion in the country's governance, while Gambian President Adama Barrow, who was the chief guest, said Kenya remained a major powerhouse and key player in the continent's integration agenda.
President William Ruto during Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2024, at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
"We must promote inclusion and broaden our platform for collective engagement to allow for the articulation of diverse viewpoints and the expression of fresh, new and bold approaches. To be transformational, we must be willing to continuously transform ourselves and our strategies," said Dr Ruto.
With his broad-based government including members of the opposition, President Ruto said he will continue to reach out to Kenyans from all walks of life, regardless of their ideological persuasion, "to maximise the cross-pollination of the flower of our Republic and ensure robust seeds for future seasons."
DP Kindiki and Nairobi Governor Sakaja praised the President for reaching out to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga nd retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying the move promotes unity in the country.
"Thank you (President Ruto) for reaching out to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, for forming the broad-based government and for reaching out to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and ensuring that going forward, all stakeholders are on the table as we decide the direction of our country," Prof Kindiki said.
"We reflect on this day because of the sacrifices of people who are not necessarily here, we owe it to them to project the values they stood for, just as we owe it to our children to bequeath them a prosperous and inclusive country," he added.
Mr Sakaja said the Head of State had made the best move by reaching out to the political divide and forming a broad-based government.
President Barrow said Kenya remained an important powerhouse and key player in the continent's integration agenda.
"The strides you have made in addressing climate change, trade, peace, security and development have set a precedent for recognition," he said.
Kenya's declaration of freedom as a democratic republic was a historic milestone and a beacon of hope and inspiration for many African nations, he said.
The event was also attended by Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley, the Kenyan-born politician who recently made history as the first Kenyan immigrant to be elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in the US, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and other dignitaries.
President Ruto noted that he is still laying the foundation for robust economic activity to create millions of opportunities through his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
"As a starting point, it has been critical for us to tighten our belts and make significant sacrifices to put our public finances on a sustainable path, allowing for increased investment in the strategic pillars of our plan and the cross-cutting enablers of rapid transformation.
“I acknowledge the work we have done and the milestones we have achieved in creating the necessary conditions for progress in each of the value chains that support the pillars of our plan," said the President.”
He noted that Kenyans were now looking forward to reaping the benefits of his government's work.
"There is a time to resist and a time to accept; a time to deny and a time to admit; a time to doubt and a time to believe. In the face of incontrovertible evidence, scepticism must give way to confidence, and we must reject the deceptive embrace of disinformation and fake news.
"The results and positive impact of our collective pursuit of fundamental economic change can no longer be wished away," he said.
Under Taifa Care, which he said ensures access to healthcare for all registered citizens without discrimination, the government has successfully transitioned 5.6 million citizens from the National Health Insurance Fund and registered 11 million Kenyans under the Social Health Insurance Fund.
President William Ruto arrives at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi for the Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2024.
He said this means that in just two months, 11 million Kenyans who previously had no access to health services are now registered, with the registration process in full swing in all parts of Kenya.
"I commend Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Bomet, Embu and Lamu, the five counties that have so far led the way in registering Taifa care. At the same time, I encourage the people of Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera, West Pokot and Turkana counties to mobilise, register and reap the benefits of this transformative programme," the President said.
He said the government was undertaking an ambitious expansion of the national digital infrastructure by rolling out a fibre network to connect over 74,000 public institutions and establishing 25,000 public Wi-Fi hotspots.
He said digital transformation is a critical enabler for creating opportunities across all sectors.
"We intend to use this infrastructure to extend internet connectivity to 8.5 million households and businesses, and eliminate the digital divide that undermines technological inclusivity in homes, schools, villages and districts," he said.
The President said that through the e-Citizen portal, the government has been able to digitise 20,855 government services, "streamlining public service delivery, increasing transparency and efficiency, eliminating opportunities for corruption and increasing visibility and mobilisation of public revenues".
"In addition, our digital transformation strategy is making a significant contribution to skills development and job creation. For example, Ajira Digital and Jitume Digital are advancing our vision of equipping 20 million citizens with ICT skills, fostering entrepreneurship and increasing inclusive digital literacy."
He said an additional 20 million Kenyans will be prepared for high productivity in the digital economy as the government moves to integrate creative industry courses into technical and vocational colleges as a reliable mechanism to build a skilled workforce.
On the affordable housing projects, he noted that they have so far created 200,000 jobs and thousands of indirect opportunities across the construction value chain.
He said the Special Economic Zones and Export Processing Zones are boosting investment, manufacturing and exports, creating jobs and increasing national wealth.
"In the last two years, we have licensed over 80 companies in these zones, creating 14,000 jobs. The six flagship EPZs in Busia, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Eldoret, Kwale and Nakuru that are currently under development are expected to create a further 30,000 jobs.
"In addition, the ongoing operationalisation of the Dongo Kundu and Naivasha SEZs will create 26,000 jobs, facilitate private SEZ investment and support the operations of the county and public SEZs."
