Ruto has made key strides in fulfilling pre-election pledges

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• This situation is now improving because of the resumption of the short rains in some parts of the country. Farmers are taking advantage of this to grow fast-maturing crops. The government is also playing an instrumental role to boost food production by supplying them with cheap, subsidized fertilizers and certified seeds.
• Looking at other promises, allow me to single out the ‘Hustler Fund’. The launch of this fund was a game changer. Being the first of its kind in our history, it is indeed transforming the lives of the poor and vulnerable Kenyans. This is because of the low interest rate and accessing it with ease. You only need your phone to apply and receive your loan in the next few minutes.

A few days ago, I read a story in one of the Kenyan mainstream media high lightening the progress that President William Ruto has made towards fulfilling the pre-election pledges. This paper noted that he has done half of what he promised to do in 100 days.

Upon analyzing the list, this was my observation. Contrary to the impression created by his critics, Ruto had made significant steps.

We know he took over the government at a time when our country was being confronted by two main challenges; biting drought, a dilapidated economy. This unfortunate situation had been exacerbated by Russian-Ukraine war and Covid-19 crisis.

With this, President Ruto had not time for the honey moon. He knew the eyes of Kenyans were trained him and, as he had promised during campaigns, he did not want to let them down.

So, after being sworn-in he immediately started to perform his constitutional duties.

As a way of dealing with new challenges, he had to review the timelines and budgetary allocations for some of the projects and programmes contained in his manifesto.

Given that 4.2 million were facing starvation, he would give priority to the fight against hunger. The government would craft a multi-pronged strategy that would see make the first move of availing funds for buying and distributing relief food to starving Kenyans. This would be followed by President Ruto sending an international appeal to the local companies, foreign donors as well as our development partners who would respond in kind.

This situation is now improving because of the resumption of the short rains in some parts of the country. Farmers are taking advantage of this to grow fast-maturing crops. The government is also playing an instrumental role to boost food production by supplying them with cheap, subsidized fertilizers and certified seeds.

Looking at other promises, allow me to single out the ‘Hustler Fund’. The launch of this fund was a game changer. Being the first of its kind in our history, it is indeed transforming the lives of the poor and vulnerable Kenyans. This is because of the low interest rate and accessing it with ease. You only need your phone to apply and receive your loan in the next few minutes.

For the unfulfilled pledges, the President has been showing a lot of goodwill. Whenever he toured various parts of country, he would remind the locals about the project [s] he had promised to implement in their region.

I have not forgotten. Just give a few weeks or months. I will keep my words.

Notably, this is not the first we have heard about the lofty pre-election promises. This card is normally used by the politicians particularly those eyeing the Presidency to woo voters during the campaigns. Once they ascend to power, they are not able to fulfill a number of the promises. Allow me to single out the government of former President Mwai Kibaki. He was rated as the best president of the independent Kenya and even today this is the position held by many Kenyans. He, however, retired before fulfilling some promises. This included creation of jobs and the war on corruption.

On corruption, Kibaki had initially made good progress. At one point, he had even ordered three ministers, who were known to be his key confidants, to step aside to pave the way for investigations.

This is after a report prepared by his anti-corruption czar John Githongo adversely linked them to multi-billion Anglo-Leasing scandal.

Two of them were later reinstated and this was done in an opaque manner. The details on the outcome of the investigations were scanty.

By this time, Githongo had already fled the country. He sought an asylum in one of the countries in Europe. Speaking from there, he said he feared for his life. The corruption cartels had ganged up and they were baying for my blood.

After this, corruption started creeping back. I remember a popular quote from retired Justice Aaron Ringera, who was heading the anti-corruption commission. He said corruption is fighting back and it is doing this viciously and with vengeance.

For President William Ruto, he has been reiterating his commitment to return the country back on track. It is, therefore, too early to judge him. Let us give him time.

Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a Writer and Political Commentator based in Nairobi