Broad-based government not a solution to economic problems

When President William Ruto posed for a photo with his cabinet secretaries at State House Nairobi. [File, Standard]

The 41st President of the United States, George Herbart Walker Bush, and President William Ruto have a few things in common. Both served as deputy (vice) presidents before ascending to the presidency.

Both came into the highest office on the altar of economic reforms without raising taxes as part of their campaigns. Bush is most remembered by his promise, "Read my lips; no new taxes". It is this statement that would ride him to power in the 1988 elections and would later be used by Bill Clinton to beat him in the 1992 elections after he raised taxes midterm and failed to solve the cost-of-living problem.