By FCPA Hesbon Omollo.
The pace at which President William Ruto is transforming Kenya has unsettled those eyeing his seat in 2027. It is therefore unsurprising that efforts to sow instability and distractions have intensified.
Yet, the President’s unwavering focus on the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) continues to yield tangible results. The healthcare reforms—once fiercely opposed—have now been successfully implemented, demonstrating his resolve and delivery discipline. The shift from consumption subsidies, which disproportionately benefited maize millers and oil importers, to production-focused support has led to lower prices of essential commodities, bumper harvests, and enhanced food security.
The Affordable Housing Programme has already triggered significant structural and economic shifts. Meanwhile, the Climate WorX initiative has filled a critical gap in social protection, offering vulnerable youth meaningful engagement and income opportunities.
Despite formidable challenges, the President has navigated each with clarity and purpose. The Finance Bill, which had sparked unrest among Gen Z, has since been revised into a more popular version—effectively neutralizing attempts to exploit it for chaos. Kenya’s economy continues to grow, our debt-to-GDP ratio is declining, and our continental ranking has improved from seventh to sixth. Notably, pension savings have doubled in just two years—matching the cumulative savings since independence.
However, recent commemorative events have been marred by violence and looting, particularly in the Mount Kenya region. The Saba Saba demonstrations, once symbolic of democratic progress, have been co-opted by anarchic elements—allegedly under the influence of a former President and shielded by a partisan media landscape dominated by entrenched interests.
While isolated cases of police excesses merit review, the broader context reveals a deliberate weaponization of violence against law enforcement. In this climate, President Ruto’s speech this morning was both timely and necessary—reaffirming the foundational principle that the state must retain the monopoly on legitimate force. Anything less invites disorder and lawlessness.
It is time to reset, recalibrate, and reaffirm our national stability.
