Tag: President William Ruto news

During a meeting with Sultan Ahmed Al Jabar, the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates, who also heads the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and chairs Masdar on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai on February 12, 2024, Kenya’s President William Ruto wore a pair of shoes costing Sh 178,620.

While burdening Kenyans with new and increased taxes to fund government operations, despite promises of austerity measures during his presidential campaign, Ruto’s lavish wardrobe remains a point of concern. Some Kenyans struggle to afford food, pay bills, and secure jobs while contributing to the government’s expenses, including civil servants’ salaries.

In Dubai, he donned $1,145 brown My Amor W Christian Louboutin Oxford shoes, described by the fashion house as a “sophisticated Oxford shoe.” The Maison Christian Louboutin recommends general leather care for their products, advising customers to keep leather clean and dry, store away from light and heat, protect from rain and moisture, and use the provided dust bag.

President Ruto was previously seen with a Sh 8.7 million rose gold Octo Finissimo Bvlgari watch in Meru County in January 2023. The nearest Bvlgari stores for this watch are located in various international cities.

Before that, he sported a Sh 428,000 ‘SR’ gold buckle crocodile skin belt. The president’s expensive wardrobe choices have drawn criticism given the economic challenges faced by many Kenyans.

President William Ruto’s ambitious pledge of free healthcare for all Kenyans, announced in November 2023, has encountered an initial hurdle as the proposed Social Health Insurance fund battles legal challenges.

Speaking at a church service in Bomet county, President Ruto declared that from January 2024, medical care would be free at all Kenyan hospitals. He outlined plans to adjust the existing National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and introduce subsidized premiums for low-income earners, with the government covering costs for those unable to pay.

However, the rollout of these reforms has been delayed due to a court case. In December 2023, the High Court issued a temporary order suspending the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, the framework for the promised free healthcare system. This suspension will remain in effect until February 2024, when the court will hear the case.

This legal obstacle poses a challenge to the immediate launch of the promised universal healthcare plan. While Kenyans await the court’s decision, concerns over the delayed implementation are likely to arise. Additionally, questions about the long-term sustainability of the proposed funding mechanisms and the impact on existing healthcare infrastructure remain unanswered.

Despite the initial setback, the government has reiterated its commitment to achieving universal healthcare access. It remains to be seen whether the Social Health Insurance Act will be amended or upheld, and how soon Kenyans can expect to see the full realization of President Ruto’s free healthcare promise.

A new year brings a change of tune for Kenyans using the Nairobi Expressway. Despite President Ruto’s pre-election pledge to scrap tolls, his administration has announced significant price hikes effective January 1st, 2024.

Under Transport Secretary Murkomen’s explanation, the increased fees are attributed to currency depreciation and the need for infrastructure maintenance. He emphasized that tolls were necessary due to the lack of guaranteed traffic volume and the availability of a non-tolled alternative route.

The Gazette Notice details new rates ranging from Sh170 to Sh500 across different expressway sections, a hefty jump from the initial Sh100 to Sh310 range. Specific breakdowns show significant increases for various exit points, potentially doubling or even tripling the previous charges.

This policy shift stands in stark contrast to Ruto’s campaign promises of exploring alternative methods for loan repayment on infrastructure projects. During a town hall meeting, he declared roads like the Nairobi Expressway “place a substantial tax burden on the poor” and advocated for taxation on products, not highways.

While the government emphasizes the necessity of tolls for infrastructure sustainability, the sudden reversal of a key campaign promise is likely to disappoint and anger many Kenyans. This situation highlights the tension between infrastructure development, financial feasibility, and public expectations.

The rising tolls raise questions about affordability and potential economic burdens on citizens. While Murkomen mentioned alternative routes, their practicality and efficiency for daily commuters remain uncertain.

Ultimately, the toll increase signals a complex interplay of economic realities, political promises, and citizen needs. While justifying the fees, the government will need to address public concerns and ensure these infrastructure projects truly benefit all Kenyans.

President William Ruto will present his second State of the Nation address to a joint session of Parliament on November 9, 2023. The address is expected to cover a wide range of issues, including the economy, security, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. It will also outline the administration’s plans for the future and how it intends to address the challenges facing the country.

In his opening remarks, President Ruto commended Members of Parliament for their election and emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration for effective oversight of resources and service delivery. He urged lawmakers to live up to their constituents’ expectations and raise the bar in accountability and service to the nation.

Recognizing the diverse constitutional mandates of the National Assembly and Senate, the President called for cooperation in enacting progressive legislation. He also stressed the importance of re-establishing and realigning the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) within constitutional provisions and establishing the Senate Oversight Fund, following the recent Supreme Court ruling deeming the Constituency Development Fund Act, 2013 unconstitutional.

President Ruto also outlined a transformational agenda, including overhauling the country’s social security infrastructure for greater inclusivity. To address national debt concerns, he detailed measures to stimulate the economy without increasing borrowing, such as promoting domestic saving and reducing recurrent expenditure.

In a display of fiscal responsibility, the President directed the National Treasury to review the 2022/2023 budget, aiming to cut Sh300 billion from non-essential projections. He also announced a national savings drive to encourage the informal sector to establish retirement health plans, aligning with the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.

President William Ruto of Kenya has officially trademarked the phrase “Mambo ni Matatu,” which means “things are three” in Kiswahili. The phrase has become popular in recent weeks after President Ruto used it as a warning to cartels in the sugar sector.

According to legal expert Adrian Kamotho, anyone wishing to use the phrase or the iconic three-finger gesture will now need to seek permission from President Ruto.

President Ruto has said that the phrase represents the three key elements of equitable development: securing significant resources, the necessity of specialized skills, and the importance of affordability.

The phrase has been widely used in merchandise, including T-shirts, and has become a rallying cry for Kenyans who are fed up with corruption and inefficiency.

Analysis

The trademarking of the phrase “Mambo ni Matatu” is a significant move by President Ruto. It shows that he is serious about cracking down on corruption and promoting equitable development in Kenya.

The phrase is also likely to become a symbol of President Ruto’s presidency. It is a catchy and memorable phrase that resonates with Kenyans of all ages and backgrounds.

It remains to be seen how President Ruto will enforce his trademark on the phrase. However, the move is likely to deter people from using the phrase in a way that is critical of the government.

President William Ruto has vowed not to let down the people of Mount Kenya, whom he called the “real election heroes,” for voting for him despite his outsider status.

Speaking at Sagana State Lodge, Ruto praised the region for defying old ethnic biases and supporting his bid for power. He assured Kenyans that he would make sure to fulfill his obligations to all Kenyans, just as he had promised to do for the residents of Mount Kenya.

“Your sweat will not go in vain, we must work hard to justify the faith, the commitment and sacrifice you have made to make us who we are,” Ruto said.

The Mount Kenya region had never before overwhelmingly chosen a presidential candidate from outside the area. However, they supported Ruto’s bid for power with more than 90% of the vote in the most recent surveys.

Ruto said that he would meet with all of the regional leaders to develop a plan for the area, as promised in the Kenya Kwanza manifesto. He is also slated to begin a series of development projects in four counties—Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a, and Laikipia—during his visit to the region.

Ruto’s visit to Mount Kenya is seen as an attempt to consolidate his support in the region ahead of the 2022 general election. The region is home to a large number of swing voters, and its support could be decisive in the outcome of the election.

President William Ruto has blamed the recent increase in sugar prices on confusion and chaos in the sugar industry.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ruto said that the government has been working to streamline the industry, but that it has been difficult due to the lack of cooperation from some stakeholders.

“We’ve had confusion and chaos in the whole sugar sub-sector and we are streamlining that sector because the whole sugarcane sector has been riddled with all manner of confusion and poaching of sugarcane from one corner to another,” Ruto said.

He also said that some sugar companies have been harvesting sugarcane that is not mature, which has led to a decrease in the overall sugar supply.

Ruto said that the government has been reluctant to import sugar, as this has been used in the past to try and destroy Kenya’s sugar economy. However, he said that the government has now given permission for the importation of sugar, and that prices should start to decline in the next week or two.

“By mid of this month, we will see a different situation pertain sugar because that is when we expect the first stocks of sugar to come into the country,” the President said.

Ruto said that he has a thorough strategy for streamlining the sugar industry, and that he is confident that prices will eventually stabilize.

A majority of Kenyans are aware of the provisions of the Finance Act 2023, but they are skeptical about its potential positive impact on the economy. According to a recent survey by Infotrak, 59% of Kenyans expressed doubt about the Act’s ability to boost the economy.

The survey also found that 73% of Kenyans do not support the Finance Act 2023. This suggests that there is widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s fiscal policies.

The survey was conducted between July 3 and July 8 on 2,400 respondents from across the country. It found that there are regional variations in opinions about the Finance Act 2023. The Rift Valley region showed the highest level of doubt, with 28% of respondents expressing reservations about the Act’s potential impact. The Central region closely followed with 29% expressing similar doubts.

In contrast, the Western and Coast regions had lower levels of doubt, with 17% and 20% respectively. Nairobi, being the capital city and a significant economic hub, showed a moderately high level of doubt, with 22% of participants expressing reservations about the Finance Act 2023.

The Finance Act 2023 has been a subject of national discourse since its introduction, and the government has faced criticism and concerns from various stakeholders. Some citizens argue that the Act lacks clarity in its objectives and may not address the country’s economic challenges effectively.

Others have raised concerns about potential adverse effects on certain industries and sectors.

Mr Wanyingo, the lead researcher of the survey, shared some noteworthy insights from the data.

“Among individuals who do not support the Finance Act 2023, a substantial majority of 61% prefer to express their discontentment through civil disobedience,” Johvine Wanyingo said.

“Additionally, 49% of this group favor challenging the Act in court, while 15% opt to boycott tax, and 32% choose peaceful demonstrations as alternative means of opposing the Act,” he added.

President William Ruto assented to the Finance Act on June 26, 2023. The Act was to come into force on July 1, 2023. However, the court suspended the Act on June 30, 2023.

The survey also found that 72% of Kenyans believe that the country is heading in the wrong direction. Only 15% of Kenyans believe that the country is heading in the right direction.

The Nyanza, Western, and Coast regions have the highest levels of strong sentiment that the country is headed in the wrong direction, with 82%, 79%, and 76% of their populations expressing this belief, respectively.

On the other hand, the Central, North Eastern, and Rift Valley regions exhibit lower confidence in the country’s current direction, with 32%, 31%, and 19% respectively.

The survey’s findings suggest that there is widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s fiscal policies and the direction of the country. The government will need to address these concerns if it wants to regain the trust of the people.

The Principal Secretary of the State Department for Crop Development in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kello Harsama, has promised Kenyans cheaper maize flour from next week.

Harsama made the announcement following a meeting with stakeholders in the maize flour industry. He said that the price of unga will be significantly lower due to the abundance of maize in the market during the harvest season.

“Today, held meeting with members of United Grain Millers Association. Noted that by next week, prices of maize and unga will reduce significantly,” Harsama said in a tweet.

The announcement comes as the country is experiencing a high cost of living, with maize flour being one of the most affected commodities. The price of a 2kg packet of maize flour has been hovering around Sh270 in recent weeks.

The opposition coalition, Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya, has been protesting against the high cost of living, demanding that the government take action to lower the prices of essential commodities.

The government has already taken some measures to address the high cost of living, including providing subsidized maize flour to low-income households. However, these measures have not been enough to satisfy the opposition coalition.

It remains to be seen if the government’s promise to lower the price of maize flour will be enough to appease the opposition and the public.

In the meantime, Kenyans are bracing themselves for a further increase in the price of maize flour, as the harvest season comes to an end.

A section of Kericho MCAs walked out of President William Ruto’s event in Kericho on Wednesday, citing harassment by his security team.

The MCAs were recorded walking away from the tent where the main event was to take place, saying they were “disrespected and pushed from one side to the other” by Ruto’s security team.

The MCAs said they would instead head to the county assembly, which is not far from the event venue.

In a video seen by the Star, one of the MCAs is heard saying, “Let us walk on foot and go back to the county assembly. We can’t be disrespected by his security.”

The MCAs’ decision to walk out of the event is a sign of growing tensions between Ruto and the Kericho county government.

Ruto is in Kericho to commission the Sh1.3 billion Kimugu Water Project. The project is expected to provide water to residents of Kericho and neighboring counties.

The MCAs’ walkout is a setback for Ruto, who is hoping to win the support of voters in Kericho ahead of the 2022 general election.

President William Ruto has called the Huduma Namba initiative a “complete fraud” and said that Kenyans lost about Sh15 billion as a result of the project.

Speaking on Friday, Ruto said that the process of getting Kenyans to use digital identity cards had been “traumatic” for the people. He said that the Huduma Namba project was a “phantom project” that did not deliver on its promises.

“We lost almost 15 billion shillings and got very little out of it,” Ruto said. “We must demonstrate in the next 90 days that it is possible for us to have a Digital ID without spending 15 billion and without defrauding the people of Kenya. Those who did that should be ashamed of themselves.”

Ruto said that the government would launch a new digital ID project in the next 90 days that would not cost as much as the Huduma Namba project. He said that the new project would be more efficient and would provide Kenyans with the digital IDs they need to access government services.

The Huduma Namba project was launched in 2018 by the previous government. The project aimed to create a single digital identity for all Kenyans. However, the project was criticized for being expensive and for not delivering on its promises.

Ruto’s comments about the Huduma Namba project are the latest in a series of attacks he has made on the previous government. Ruto is the running mate of presidential candidate Raila Odinga in the upcoming election.

The election is scheduled to be held on August 9, 2023.