Ruto defends economic record at Mashujaa Day, dares opposition to offer alternatives

Ruto defends economic record at Mashujaa Day, dares opposition to offer alternatives

Ruto emphasised that political leaders must move beyond criticising government projects and explain how they would address issues such as unemployment, healthcare costs, housing, agricultural production and infrastructure development.

President William Ruto has challenged the opposition to explain how it would address Kenya’s economic challenges and improve the lives of citizens, insisting that leaders seeking power must offer workable alternatives to government policies and development programmes.

Speaking on Tuesday during the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Kipchoge Keino Stadium, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Ruto said despite the progress made by his administration, more work was needed to address the challenges facing Kenyans, adding that the 2027 General Election should be a contest of ideas, track records and practical plans.

He emphasised that political leaders must move beyond criticising government projects and explain how they would address issues such as unemployment, healthcare costs, housing, agricultural production and infrastructure development.

“If you disagree with affordable housing, tell Kenyans how you would provide decent homes and create jobs. If you oppose our healthcare reforms, explain how you would ensure that no family is forced to organise a harambee to settle a hospital bill. If you have a better plan for our farmers, young people, traders, and workers, put it before the people of Kenya. Beyond what you oppose, what do you propose?” he posed.

Ruto said democracy should be guided by competing policies and development plans rather than ethnic mobilisation, personal attacks and division.

He challenged leaders opposed to major infrastructure projects, including the Mau Summit Highway, the railway extension towards Kisumu and Malaba, the Isiolo-Mandera corridor and the modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, to present alternatives that would connect counties, open markets and create jobs.

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“No government program is above criticism. No leader is beyond accountability. Let us debate the merits of competing proposals, question their costs, and demand results. But let our disagreements produce better policies, not deeper divisions,” he said.

Ruto said his administration would present its record and plans to Kenyans ahead of the next election, adding that citizens should judge leaders based on their achievements, vision and ability to deliver.

He said his government was formed through a broad-based arrangement two years ago to bring together leaders from different political backgrounds in the service of the country.

“Together, we have demonstrated that political combination need not prevent our national cooperation, and that when we unite around the interests of our people, we can achieve more for Kenya,” he said.

The President defended his administration’s economic transformation agenda, saying it was designed to expand opportunities and ensure every Kenyan benefits from national development.

He said the economy had grown, inflation had been brought under control, the exchange rate had stabilised and access to credit had expanded. He added that the value of Kenya’s stock market had risen from Sh2 trillion in 2022 to Sh4.2 trillion, while foreign direct investment increased from $1.5 billion in 2022 to $3.2 billion in 2025.

Ruto said more than 10 million Kenyans were regular borrowers through the Hustler Fund, with Sh98 billion advanced without collateral. He added that the government would inject another Sh5 billion into the fund by the end of the year.

In agriculture, he said the government had registered 8.9 million farmers and distributed more than 38 million bags of subsidised fertiliser, helping increase maize production from 34.3 million bags in 2022 to 71 million bags last year.

He also cited increased earnings for coffee, sugarcane and dairy farmers, noting that milk production had risen by one billion litres, while the price paid to farmers had increased from Sh35 to Sh60 per litre. He announced that dairy farmers in Eldoret would earn Sh65 per litre from this month, alongside a quarterly bonus of Sh2 per litre.

On healthcare, Ruto said registration under the Social Health Authority had reached 33.3 million Kenyans, up from seven million under the previous system in 2022. He said SHA had disbursed Sh107 billion to healthcare facilities since January 1, enabling them to purchase medicines and other essential supplies.

The President also said the affordable housing programme had created more than 1.1 million jobs, with 303,000 homes at different stages of development. The government had also connected 680,000 Kenyans to overseas employment opportunities, while 350,000 young people had benefited from digital jobs initiatives.

Ruto said the government was targeting two million digital employment opportunities, one million overseas job opportunities and another two million jobs through housing and related investments over the next three years.

He also pledged continued investment in roads, railways, energy and industrial projects, including plans to begin oil exports from the Lake Turkana Basin in December.

The President linked the development agenda to the sacrifices of Kenya’s freedom fighters, saying independence must translate into better living conditions, access to education, healthcare, food and decent housing.

He paid tribute to Koitalel Arap Samoei, Mekatilili wa Menza, Dedan Kimathi, Field Marshal Muthoni wa Kirima, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the Kapenguria Six for their role in the struggle against colonial rule.

Ruto said his administration had a responsibility to build on their legacy by ensuring that every Kenyan had a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background.

“Our heroes laid the foundation of our nation. Every generation must make its contribution to building upon it,” he said.

He added that the government’s development plans were guided by the Constitution, which requires equity, social justice, inclusion and equal protection under the law.