Stop misleading Kenyans; Ruto has delivered on most of his pledges

President William Ruto inspects projects during his tour of Kajiado county. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

There is misleading information being perpetuated by some political analysts and opinion shapers that President William Ruto has not honoured his 2022 campaign pledges. What needs to be understood is that under Dr Ruto, the country is focused on economic recovery, infrastructural development, and social welfare reforms aimed at improving the livelihoods of Kenyans.

 It is unfair for the critics of this administration to shout 'broken promises' while ignoring the numbers that tell the truth. In 2022, the inflation was nearly 10 per cent, the shilling was free-falling at 165 against dollar but now stands at 129. But today, the inflation is at 2.7 per cent- the lowest in 18 years. The shilling has gained value at over 20 per cent against the dollar.

Fertiliser, a key component in crop production, was unaffordable for most small-scale farmers. For three straight seasons, farmers have accessed subsidised fertiliser at less than half the 2022 price (Sh6,500) at Sh2500. Beginning the next season they will buy it at Sh2,000.

The Affordable Housing Programme—dismissed as a 'pipe dream'—has over 214,000 houses under construction across the 47 counties, employing 1.2 million Kenyans directly and indirectly. That’s not a promise deferred; that’s a promise delivered.

Ruto’s administration has also reduced unga from Sh250 to between Sh135 and Sh150 per 2kgs packet. It is therefore unfair to claim that the government has done little to improve the welfare of Kenyans.

It should be noted that the 2022 Kenya Kwanza manifesto was never a 100-metre dash—it was a marathon.

 What needs to be made clear is that when Ruto promised 200,000 housing units annually, he didn't say "by 2026". He laid out a 10-year plan. In year four, we are at 170,000 units under construction. That's commendable

 On digital hubs, 1,450 have been built as 38,871 km fiber optic laid while more than 500,000 people have got overseas jobs. These are structural shifts that will outlast this administration.

 It is unfair for critics to single out the 1.5 Housing Levy, forgetting that public servants have not suffered financial loss because they have benefited from a 10 per cent salary increase in recent years.

 The critics also focus on the Social Health Authority (SHA) rollout's teething problems while ignoring that Universal Health Coverage is now a reality for millions who never had insurance before. Thirty-two million Kenyans are now beneficiaries of the medical scheme.

Although the rollout is not yet 100 per cent perfect, the truth is that perfection isn't the standard—progress is. And by that measure, it is clear that this government is delivering.

When Ruto spoke of the 'Hustler Nation,' he wasn't just talking about cheap maize flour. He was talking about economic inclusion. The Hustler Fund has disbursed over Sh50 billion to small-scale traders—people who had never seen formal credit in their lives.

 The 840,000 jobs created through MSMEs in 2024 alone are not 'statistical noise'—they are real livelihoods in every market across this country.

Although the cost of living is still high, we cannot solve a 60-year dependency economy in four years. The foundation is being laid—and dismissing it as 'failure' is not analysis; it's agenda.

 What's clear is that some analysts have moved from objective critique to perpetual opposition. When inflation drops from 9.6 per cent to 2.7 per cent, they call it 'global trends.' When the shilling strengthens, they call it 'temporary.' When housing units rise, they call it 'unaffordable.' But data doesn't lie. The Kenya Kwanza administration has delivered on over 80 per cent of its major economic pledges.

 The remaining 20 percent —including tax relief—deserves scrutiny. But let's give credit where it's due and hold the government accountable when it falls short. That's what objective analysis is all about.

 But allegations that Ruto has not implemented most of his 2022 campaign promises are misleading.

Mr Kaino works at the Presidential Communication Service