Ruto defends economic record, says Kenya on path to transformation

Kenya is changing for the better despite spirited campaigns to depict the country as stagnating or regressing, President William Ruto has said.

The President pointed to economic growth registered during the three years of his term as proof that the country is headed in the right direction.

“You can have as much debate as you want; you can write as many headlines as you want; you can release as many reports, but the truth will not change,” he said on Thursday.

He added: “We have made a difference in universal health coverage, agriculture, education and housing, and we are transforming the Republic of Kenya. I want to assure the citizens of this nation that, in our lifetime, Kenya will be a first-world economy.”

He made the remarks during the funeral service of Mzee Edwin Koech, the father of Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, in Kipketii village, Bomet County.

Present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior), Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives), Deborah Barasa (Environment), Eric Mugaa (Water), and Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor.

Also in attendance were Governors Hillary Barchok (Bomet), Eric Mutai (Kericho), Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), and Ochillo Ayacko (Migori).

The President emphasised that no amount of negative media publicity will change the fact that the economy has improved under his leadership.

“The truth of the matter is that unga was KSh250 and now it is between KSh120 and KSh140. We had a teachers’ shortage of 116,000; we have employed 100,000. All our roads had stalled; now 6,000km are under construction. Fertiliser was about KSh7,000; today it is KSh2,500. Our housing policy had never taken off beyond the paper it had been written on; now we have built 240,000 units,” he said.

Besides leading the country’s transformation, President Ruto said his other key mission is to unite the country through the broad-based government he formed with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“My commitment is to bring all Kenyans, from all ethnicities and regions together, and eliminate tribalism, hate and marginalisation so that we move forward as one people,” he said.

President Ruto eulogised the late Mzee Koech as a dedicated civil servant who served as a veterinarian and agricultural officer, and later became a notable farmer in retirement.

He urged Kenyans to emulate Mzee Koech’s zeal and dedication to his family.

“As he rests, Mzee reminds us that our first responsibility as parents is to mentor and bring up our children,” he said.

On development projects, the President said he will tour the region and launch the construction of two modern stadia in Bomet and Kericho counties.

During the tour, he added, he will also hand over completed affordable housing units in Bomet town and launch the construction of 2,000 new units.

Additionally, he informed residents that construction of airstrips in the two counties is progressing well and will be completed soon.

On healthcare, President Ruto commended the people of Bomet for being the second-highest county in registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

“Hardly 50,000 people in Bomet were registered under the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund. But today, 660,000 people are enrolled under SHA,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony were MPs led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, Senate Majority Leader Aron Cheruiyot, MCAs, clergy and other mourners.