Aasai

PRESIDENT William Ruto has just 24 months to de deliver on his many promises to Kenyans, so that he can defend his seat in 2027. With two years left before the 2027 general elections, President Ruto faces a daunting challenge to deliver on his 2022 promises to uplift the lower classes, create jobs for millions of unemployed youth, ensure quality healthcare and education for all, as well as build thousands of affordable houses. 

During the campaign, the President promised that his administration would be built on “constitutional democracy, strong institutional politics and opening doors of opportunity for the majority of citizens.” But three years since he came to power, some of the promises he used to woo poor Kenyans have yet to be fulfilled.

 Now he must turn words into action, or be left behind as a leader who gave sweet words without results. Since his inauguration on September 13, 2022, the chicken trader-turned-president has found himself in the middle of a political and economic crisis, facing intense public pressure over high taxes and austerity measures.

 High taxes are a major threat to his administration, especially after opposition to the Finance Bill that proposed new taxes sparked nationwide protests. The president has insisted that taxes are essential for development, but public anger over the high cost of living threatens his re-election bid. His supporters say he deserves a second term because of his pro-people projects such as the Hasla Fund, Affordable Housing, and the Social Health Authority (SHA). 

They claim Kenya First has guided the country through debt-fueled inflation, global economic changes, and helped strengthen the Kenyan currency against the US dollar. However, his critics say he has increased the tax burden on Kenyans while failing to stop his cronies from boasting of vast wealth through “empowerment” projects, while many Kenyans struggle in poverty. Also, despite falling inflation, the cost of living remains high. Reforms in key sectors such as education and health have faced strong opposition, with the new university funding system cited as a major obstacle.

 Kenyans earning salaries have seen their incomes cut by new taxes including: a 1.5 percent levy on housing construction, a 2.7 percent levy on the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and an increase in NSSF contributions. These measures, along with the additional taxes proposed in the 2024 Finance Bill, sparked massive youth protests, leading the President to reject the proposals. 

Senator Enoch Wambua of Kitui said even the President himself knows he has failed to deliver on almost every promise he made. From SHA, affordable housing, the education system to digital shopping, they have all disappointed the citizens. He added that security has deteriorated significantly.