'Gov't has failed in all its promises!' Raila says as he lectures Ruto on housing levy

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga says the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance has failed in all its pre-election promises, including cushioning Kenyans against the adverse negative effects of the economy that would instead translate to a low cost of living.

Speaking while marking the 15th Anniversary of the Party of National Unity (PNU) in Nairobi, the opposition leader extended his criticism of the government's housing agenda, while at the same time directing Azimio constituent parties to intensify their grassroots recruitment for a mother of all battles come the 2027 General Election. 

He said that poor advice has led to the Kenya Kwanza regime failing to fulfil its key campaign promises to Kenyans.

“When we came to power in 2002, we found a bankrupt economy but Kibaki told us that we must implement free primary education because we had promised it during the campaigns. This regime is failing because of poor advice, they must learn to fulfil their promises,” he said.

Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa sustained his attacks on the current regime over its push to implement the housing levy.

“We’re seeing today a government that lost direction, a government of failed promises, trial and error tactics. We demand that the government refund Kenyans all the money that was deducted illegally through the housing levy. Presidency of Ruto and Gachagua has become a symbol of national disunity,” he said.

Mr. Odinga went ahead to fault the government's approach and implementation of the housing agenda, calling for a stakeholder dialogue on the Affordable Housing initiative. 

“They borrowed the housing programme from our manifesto but they didn't know how to implement it, that's the problem. If you're doing an Affordable Housing scheme, the houses must be affordable. People who want houses should apply, and the beneficiaries will come voluntarily. You don't force it on people, mambo ya upende usipende tulizika na Nyayo," stated the former premier.

“Let people sit down and dialogue about this issue in a proper manner. Let experts be brought on board and explain how it’s going to be rolled. This program was rolled out without thinking.”

PNU party leader and ex-Agriculture CS Peter Munya, on his part, stated: “Our country is now captured by IMF and World Bank. This is the real State capture, our economy is run by foreigners that's why every sector is struggling.”

“That's why we can't wait anymore. Tukiendelea hivi sijui Kenya itakuwa wapi in the next three years.”

The Azimio leaders, who said the opposition coalition remains united, have also indicated that they will intensify grassroots recruitment.

“Azimio is as strong as its constituent parties. As ODM we have launched the membership recruitment drive across the country. We encourage all the constituent parties to do the same,” Mr. Odinga said.

“Sisi kama Wiper we believe that the future is Azimio. We want to see a very strong PNU, ODM, DAP-K, Jubilee etc. As a coalition, we are strong as our weakest political party. Endeni mshike ngome yenyu iwe strong sana, that's the only way Azimio is going to win the next elections,” Kitui Senator Enock Wambua noted.

Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah added: “Tuko imara kama upinzani na hatutishiki.”

The opposition pledged to conduct free and fair primaries from the grassroots culminating in a National Delegates Conference as it strengthens its support bases ahead of the 2027 elections.