Ruto Pushes Back Against Critics, Says Kenya Is on the Right Track

President William Ruto/FILE

President William Ruto has dismissed critics questioning his administration’s performance, maintaining that Kenya is on the right trajectory.

Speaking on Monday in Gikambura, Kikuyu, during the burial of Mzee Isaac Ichung’wah, father of National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Ruto said his government was delivering results despite constant negativity.

“We must stop the naysayers. We must stop with the negativity. Kenya is not a failed state. As we move this journey, we will move together. We will have a greater country than we have today,” he said.

The Head of State announced that Kenya is set to achieve its highest maize harvest in history, projecting nearly 75 million bags this year.

“This year, we will harvest close to 75 million bags of maize. This is the highest amount in the history of Kenya,” he told mourners.

The projection exceeds the 70 million bags that Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe estimated on Saturday, underscoring what the government says is a turnaround in food security. Kenya recorded 67 million bags in 2024, compared to 34.3 million bags in 2022.

Kagwe said the government intends to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve by purchasing directly from farmers, noting that the plan will guarantee food security while providing farmers with a reliable market.

At the burial, Ruto also praised Ichung’wah as a trusted partner in government and Parliament, describing him as more than just a political ally.

“In Kimani Ichung’wah, we have a great leader. He is not just my friend but my brother. This man has taken many bullets for me. He has carried some burdens even my brothers could not,” Ruto said.