President William Ruto has defended his administration’s major reforms, arguing that Kenya can only deliver meaningful transformation through firm and courageous leadership despite public criticism, protests, and ongoing court challenges.
Speaking at State House in Nairobi, where he hosted AFC Leopards, Ruto said his government has stayed committed to the reform agenda. He added that lasting change depends on leaders who are prepared to make difficult decisions.
Ruto said Kenya has the capacity to transform its economy, citing examples from other countries that achieved similar shifts.
“Our country, Kenya, in our time, in our generation, we can take our country from where it is now before we get old. We can do it,” he said.
He pointed to Norway’s sovereign wealth fund as proof of what long-term planning can achieve. Ruto said Norway started building the fund about 30 years ago, and it is now valued at roughly 2.2 trillion dollars, making it the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund.
Ruto also referenced China, saying the country was poor three decades ago but has since undergone major economic transformation.
“So, this Kenya can change, and we will change. Just take it from me, by the will of God,” he said.
The president acknowledged that implementing reforms over the past three years has not been easy.
“Over three years, we have done things, but it has not been easy. People have criticized me, held protests, and insulted me, but I have stayed firm because this country cannot change without someone becoming steadfast,” he said.
Ruto singled out the Affordable Housing Programme, saying it faced fierce opposition. He recalled criticism over the Housing Levy, demonstrations against the initiative, and legal challenges filed to stop the programme.
He argued that the project now shows tangible results, particularly in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
“People were shouting at me, asking why we should not build housing. They held protests, took me to court… today, you are people living in Nairobi, is it changing or not?” he posed.
Ruto said the government is constructing 80,000 houses in Nairobi and expanding affordable housing projects across the country using funds collected through the Housing Levy. He added that the programme also supports the construction of markets and hostels for young people as part of a broader plan to transform the country.
Ruto said scrapping the housing programme in response to public pressure would have deprived Kenyans of the progress they now see.
“If I were a timid person, being shouted at, facing protests, being taken to court, and then abandoning housing issues, would we have anything today to celebrate?” he said.
He added that the government’s health reforms aim to make healthcare a right for every Kenyan, rather than a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.
