What Should Kenyans Expect from Ruto’s Presidency?
A LETTER TO MR POLITICIAN
April 15, 2020
Let’s not debate but rather act on the drought situation in Northern Kenya!
September 23, 2022By Kayeli Ian
'FREEDOM IS HERE,' was the mood at the Moi International Sports Stadium Kasarani during the inauguration of new President William Samoei Ruto. Following a vigorous campaign period based on the promise of a better life and an economic upgrade for common mwananchi through the Bottom up economic plan, set against the backdrop of FREEDOM IS COMING. Freedom from state capture, high living costs, independence of government agencies, and so on.
New administrations bring new expectations and hopes. Kenyans expect a lot from the new administration after making a lot of promises during the campaign. To avoid failing them and delivering on his first day in office, the president issued his first executive order appointing the six judges who had not been appointed by his predecessor due to ethical concerns. This appointment was followed by their inauguration, which he presided over on his second day in office. Sending a message that he intends to keep his promises. Furthermore, during his inauguration speech, the president directed that fertilizers be sold for ksh 3500 instead of ksh 6500.
His second day in office also faced unexpected backlash from Kenyans after the cost of fuel prices skyrocketed. This comes after a directive from him to scrap off fuel subsidy on the grounds that it was an unsustainable practice costing Kenyans billions in taxes while benefitting few cartels in the sector. Economists and leaders allied to his administration defended the move saying that things will stabilize soon.
A tweet from Hon Millicent Omanga who is associated with the administration said that The prices of basic commodities including fuel & electricity will stabilise in due course. Remember H.E Dr. Ruto was handed an economy in High Dependency Unit (HDU), and Rome didn't flourish in a day. I can assure u that soon everything will be fine! Trust the process.
What do Kenyans however anticipate from this administration? In a twitter space on 15th September, Kenyans who participated highlighted a number of issues which they anticipate to be solved by this administration, top amongst them is the case of the cost of living. Given the presidents background of poor upbringing, Kenyans believe that he is the right man to understand their struggles and ease the situation at lowering the cost of living.
Youths are filled with hopes and dreams of breaking free from the bonds of unemployment. Mr Ruto is known to be a critic of the handshake pact between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rt Hon Raila Odinga, which sought to create a constitutional change under the Building Bridges Initiative, which he described as the creation of positions for the wealthy in government while the majority of our youths are unemployed.
“A government free of corruption cases and a functioning judiciary is a top priority and we expect nothing less” Noted one of contributors in the twitter spaces conversation. According to him, the move to empower the independence of the judiciary is a strategic plan to ensure that those around the president are answerable for their crimes and not hide behind him
With massive promises for Mama Mboga and general Youths struggling to make ends meet, commonly known as ’Hustlers’, more young people expressed optimism that their small businesses will receive a government boost through the much-anticipated hustler’s fund. This fund will provide cheap and easy loans with no need for security. “We shall implement the hustler fund dedicated to the capitalization of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through Chamas, Saccos, and Cooperatives to make credit available on affordable terms that do not require unnecessary collateral,” said the President during his inauguration on Tuesday.
Youths have also expressed their desire for the government to create a favorable online work environment. These include the development of a more robust framework and more affordable internet.
Participants also expressed their desire for free calling time, as promised at a campaign rally.
Will all of this be accomplished? Only time can tell. We wish the new administration the best of luck.
