NAIROBI, Kenya — Members of Parliament aligned with the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) have challenged President William Ruto’s administration to respond to substantive questions raised by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over its four-year record in office, saying Kenyans deserve evidence-based answers on the economy, taxation, public debt, healthcare, jobs and governance.
In a statement issued following Gachagua’s 11 August address assessing the performance of the Kenya Kwanza administration, the MPs said the debate should focus on whether the government’s policies had improved the lives of ordinary Kenyans rather than on Gachagua’s political record.
They invoked Article 1(1) of the Constitution, which provides that sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and may be exercised directly or through their elected representatives.
The legislators said Gachagua’s 40-page address had raised substantive questions about the government’s performance and accused administration officials of avoiding those issues by focusing on the former Deputy President.
“Don’t tell us about Rigathi Gachagua. Tell Kenyans about William Ruto’s four-year Presidency.”
The MPs challenged government officials to identify and provide evidence for any specific claims in Gachagua’s address that they consider false.
MPs question cost of living, taxes and debt
On the economy, the lawmakers questioned whether ordinary Kenyans are better off than they were when Ruto assumed office in September 2022.
They demanded data on household disposable income and purchasing power while also asking whether the tax burden on households and businesses has increased or declined during the administration’s tenure.
The MPs further challenged the government to disclose how much public debt Ruto inherited, how much his administration has borrowed and the country’s current debt position.
They also questioned the number of sustainable jobs created since 2022 and sought explanations for businesses that have closed or continue to struggle.
“Kenyans do not eat speeches; Kenyans want money in their pockets. The economy must be felt in people’s pockets, homes, shops, farms and workplaces.”
The statement also questioned the government’s record in education and healthcare, particularly the performance of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The legislators asked the government to provide figures showing whether SHA has improved access to affordable healthcare, including data on claims, beneficiaries and outstanding bills.
Nurses’ strike raised
The MPs also raised the ongoing nurses’ strike, questioning whether the President was aware of the industrial action.
They said nurses across the 47 counties had been on strike since 29 July 2026, with some demonstrating and camping at Delta House in Nairobi while seeking government intervention.
The lawmakers said the industrial dispute was among the issues the government should address when assessing its record on healthcare and public service delivery.
MPs demand answers on corruption and disappearances
On corruption and public expenditure, the DCP-aligned lawmakers challenged the government to identify which specific allegations concerning procurement, government expenditure and businesses allegedly associated with people in power were false and provide evidence to support its position.
They also demanded information on cases involving alleged abductions, disappearances and killings since 2022, including the number reported, investigated and successfully prosecuted.
On the government’s 2022 manifesto, the MPs challenged the administration to identify major promises that have been fulfilled after four years and publish a detailed performance scorecard.
“If William Ruto deserves another term, what precisely is the measurable improvement in the life of an ordinary Kenyan after four years?”
The lawmakers defended Gachagua’s decision to raise questions about the administration despite having served as Ruto’s Deputy President, arguing that his former position should prompt greater scrutiny rather than invalidate his claims.
“If a former Deputy President, having served inside an administration, tells Kenyans that certain things happened or were happening, the question is not whether he was there. The question is: is what he is saying true or false?”
MPs raise police brutality and security concerns
The DCP legislators also questioned the government’s record on police brutality, alleged abductions and politically linked violence.
They specifically raised questions about the deaths and alleged abductions of young people during the June 2024 Gen Z protests and subsequent demonstrations.
They also questioned the harassment of journalists and cited the killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya in October 2022, demanding clarity on the circumstances surrounding his death.
The MPs further raised questions about alleged abductions involving opposition figures, including Ugandan opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, and demanded accountability over attacks at churches including Witima ACK, Mwiki and Kasarani PCEA.
The statement also referenced the murder of psychologist Dr Victoria Mutiso, asking investigators to account for the progress of the case and allegations concerning suspects who may have fled the country.
The lawmakers said the government should address the specific allegations rather than turn the debate into a contest between Ruto and Gachagua.
“This discussion of Ruto@4 is not Rigathi versus Ruto’s MPs. This is a government being asked to account to Kenyans for four years in office.”
They concluded by urging MPs to focus parliamentary debate on the government’s performance rather than repeatedly discussing Gachagua.
The statement comes as political parties and leaders intensify preparations for the 2027 General Election, with the Ruto administration’s economic and governance record expected to become a central issue in the emerging political contest.
