President William Ruto during the Jamhuri Day celebrations on Thursday, December 12, 2024. PCS
President William Ruto has implored Kenyans to engage in meaningful criticism based on facts even as they challenge policies and projects undertaken by his administration.
Ruto, who was speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations, also warned that the country risks going into a ditch if Kenyans insist on negativity in every development agenda.
The Head of State reminded Kenyans that the country’s democratic achievements and development agenda are at stake with continuous criticism that is based on falsehoods.
“I therefore urge all Kenyans to participate fully in our democratic discourse, even as we work hard in nation-building. At all times, let us endeavour to engage on the basis of truth,” he said.
“Failure to do so will take us down the path of negativity, tear us away from the values we cherish and turn us into a people estranged from unity who sabotage development, undermine democracy and destroy our Republic in the pursuit of political expediency.”
The President spoke on Thursday at Uhuru Gardens.
Ruto used the opportunity to reiterated that his administration has rolled out key programs that are changing the lives of Kenyans
He defended the fertilizer subsidy program describing it as a game changer even as he assured Kenyans that the Taifa Care will be transformative.
Ruto noted that the government is cognizant of its achievements over the last five years adding that it is on that basis that they have been confident in listing them to Kenyans.
“When we say that the cost of basic food commodities has come down, it is a fact. When we say that inflation has gone down, it is a fact,” Ruto said.
“When we say that our farmers are producing more and better, it is a fact, and when we say that Kenyans who have registered for Taifa Care are receiving better services than before, it is a fact.”
At the same time, the president fired a warning at critics saying they will soon lack words to say when most of the development projects begin to bear fruits.
“If some of us persist in the culture of reckless negativity, for how long will cynics mobilise Kenyans to deny facts that they can touch, feel and see?” he posed.
“What will they say in a few weeks’ time when we begin to give keys to the new owners of affordable housing units? What will they say of the thousands of plumbers, electricians, teachers, health workers, building and construction workers, digital workers and many more who are already at work, including the 300 young men and women who were flagged off by my deputy to work abroad?
