We're not where we want to be, but not where we used to be - Ruto

Speaking during the 61st Jamhuri Day Celebrations on Thursday at Uhuru Gardens, President Ruto admitted that his leadership has not realised the promises it made to Kenyans since taking office in September 2022.

"I readily concede that we are yet to reach the destination of our aspirations because we have not yet delivered fully on all our commitments," he said.

He however maintained that he has significantly improved the state of the nation since taking the leadership mantle, noting that his government has introduced significant reforms that have improved livelihoods.

"We have moved beyond pledges and commitments and are now making progress with our implementation strategies," he said.

"Our ability to feed the people and keep them healthy, to empower them and connect them with opportunities, to keep them safe and protect their freedom, is improving by leaps and bounds."

President Ruto further boasted about some of the reforms his government has achieved, including curing the swelling economic curve, the highly ridiculed Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) under Taifa Care and a conducive environment for conducting business.

He also dismissed naysayers who have been censuring his leadership, noting that no positive gains can be made if the netizens are always negating his government's decisions. 

"We encourage everyone, including our critics, to engage on the basis of facts and the truth. If some of us persist in the culture of reckless negativity, for how long will cynics mobilise Kenyans to deny facts that they can touch, feel and see? What will they say in a few weeks’ time when we begin to give keys to the new owners of affordable housing units?" he posed.

He added: "What will they say of the thousands of plumbers, electricians, teachers, health workers, building and construction workers, digital workers and many more who are already at work, including the 300 young men and women who were flagged off by my deputy yesterday to work abroad?"

He therefore noted that he will not tire from achieving the Bottom-Up transformative agenda which he says will cure the perennial problems that have been ailing Kenyans.

"I count myself as one of many millions of Kenyans who want the best for our nation and all its people and are committed to putting in the effort required to make our dreams come true. It is confidence based on understanding, hope built on truth and optimism that stands on facts," Ruto noted.

"When we all unite, inspired by a shared aspiration, to undertake nation-building, we shall make our nation great, and our collective legacy will inspire present and future generations."