The Mt Kenya Times 
President William Ruto and Mama Rachel Ruto
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- The outgoing President, the Deep State and the system was on my side. So, do I really lost the polls? Seemingly, this is the question that keeps disturbing his mind.
- I remember his elder brother Oburu Odinga repeatedly expressing his confidence during the campaigns that Raila was poised to win the elections.
- This is because he was enjoying the full backing of the outgoing government. In the previous elections, this was not the case. He was a thorn in the fresh of the establishment.
- Here, he forgot two things. Kenya is a democratic country and it is governed by the rule of law. As such, the final decision on who becomes the President of Kenya rested with the people of Kenya.
I have been revisiting some of articles I have written this year. Only a few days remaining before the year come to an end.
I’m doing this to demonstrate that I have lived up to my word.
As a writer and political commentator, championing and articulating the political, socio-economic agenda of President William Ruto stood out as one of my New Year resolutions.
I would not do this blindly. My write-ups would be anchored on an indepth research work and hence well informed.
Please see and read one of the articles that I wrote.
In the run up to 2022 polls, Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto’s campaign strategy was anchored on a key fulcrum of ‘Bottom Up Economic Model’.
The model was designed to narrow the widening gap between the haves and haves-nots.
The message resonated very well with millions of Kenyan voters and this explains why Dr Ruto wrestled down his competitors at the ballot with ease.
Up to date, his main competitor Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition, is yet to come to terms.
The outgoing President, the Deep State and the system was on my side. So, do I really lost the polls? Seemingly, this is the question that keeps disturbing his mind.
I remember his elder brother Oburu Odinga repeatedly expressing his confidence during the campaigns that Raila was poised to win the elections.
This is because he was enjoying the full backing of the outgoing government. In the previous elections, this was not the case. He was a thorn in the fresh of the establishment.
Here, he forgot two things. Kenya is a democratic country and it is governed by the rule of law. As such, the final decision on who becomes the President of Kenya rested with the people of Kenya.
One did not need to be a rocket scientist to note that Dr Ruto was enjoying the support of majority of Kenyan voters.
Besides, Ruto, who had managed to rally the church to his side, reiterated: God is on my side.
With this, how did Oburu expect his brother to win? This could have only happened if the ‘Deep State’ resorted to rigging the election in favor of Raila.
If they dared to do this, they could have plunged Kenya into political anarchy and bloodshed.
The outgoing President did not want his legacy to be marked by blood in his own hands.
This would have contradicted his earlier repeated vows that never again will the blood of innocent Kenyans be shed due to unhealthy political competitions.
He, therefore, resisted all pressure piled on him by Raila brigade to sneak Baba into power.
The outgoing President had no doubt that Dr Ruto had won the elections after the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld his victory.
As required by the constitution, he immediately started the process of handing over.
This culminated to the big event at Kasarani Sports Center during which he peacefully handed the instruments of power to Dr William Ruto, who became the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya.
Dozens of the world leaders graced this auspicious ceremony.
When he convened the special National Delegates Conference of Jubilee Party a few days ago, the former President remarked: I handed power to the current President peacefully and in broad day light.
This demonstrated my commitment to tenets and ideals of democracy, constitution and the rule of law.
As a former President, I will continue to champion these ideals.
Back to Dr Ruto’s election pledge, the question we should ask ourselves is.
Has kept his word? This is in terms of kick-starting the process of narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor.
To me, he has so far made great strides.
The rolling out of the Hustler Fund, Universal Health Coverage and Affordable Housing Programme stood out as the key milestones.
In the housing plan, a huge of chunk of the funds earmarked for the construction of these houses will be raised through deductions of 3 per cent from the salaries of each employee and employer in both civil service and private sector. The deductions have since be reviewed downward and reduced to 1.5 percent.
This followed public complaints. This clearly demonstrated that President Ruto is a democrat and a charismatic leader.
Contrary to the impression created by his critics, he would not force these deductions down the throat of Kenyans. He kept reiterating that the power to enact this law lied squarely with parliament.
It is worth note some of those contributing are well endowed Kenyans who are already homeowners.
This explains why Hustlers will reap big. Apart from the project creating thousands of jobs for them, the government will give them priority to buy these houses. 120,000 hustlers have so far secured jobs.
I heard Nyandarua woman representative Faith Gitau saying the cost of some units (each) will be less than 1 million.
For starters, I want to give them a picture of how the plan is being rolled out.
The government had been contracting the real estate developers to construct these houses.
The State provides them with incentives such as free land;waiving taxes on the construction materials and becomes the guarantor of money borrowed from the banks by developers.
Once constructed, the State assures the developers it will buy in bulk all houses.
This will be done at prevailing market rates and so they will rake in good profits.
Yes, the deductions are compulsory and this does not mean as a contributor you will lose your money. You are free to withdraw your money after seven years. But this changed after public participation as majority of Kenyans rooted for the conversion of the fund to tax
Why Housing plan is a good idea? In Kenya, 65 percent of Kenyan population, who had migrated to Urban areas, live in slums.
Here the living conditions are deplorable: No water, no toilets, no electricity. The area is also filthy, with poor drainage and hence prone to communicable diseases. The crime rate is also very higher.
As I conclude, allow me to say this. Many countries across the world which had adopted similar plan of Affordable Housing Programme have had success stories.
One of them Singapore, a middle income economy.
Today, 90 percent of the population in this country lives in decent houses constructed by the government in partnership with private developers.
I’m sure those who have read our constitution would agree with me. Shelter is one of the basic human rights. When people live in deplorable conditions, this hinders thier contribution to economic growth.
So, Ruto’s Housing Plan is a move in right direction. It is a show of his commitment to rebuilding our economy. Let us support him.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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