NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has said Kenyans retain the right to question the government between elections, acknowledging that young people have protested over the cost of living, taxation, unemployment and the pace of change.
Addressing the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret on Tuesday, October 20, Ruto said the public had given his administration a mandate, “not a blank cheque”.
He said the government must listen to citizens, respond to their concerns and remain answerable for its commitments.
“Citizens retain the right to question their government, challenge its decisions and demand better,” he said.
The remarks came during a speech in which Ruto reviewed his administration’s record and outlined proposals on tax relief, land transactions, mobile phone imports and youth employment.
He said the government had prepared a proposal to exempt workers earning Sh32,333 or less a month from Pay As You Earn (PAYE).
Other proposals include exempting land transactions worth Sh1 million or less from stamp duty, removing the 25 per cent import duty on mobile phones and expanding the internship programme to accommodate 50,000 young people from January 2027.
The proposals are not yet in force.
Ruto said they would require legislative, fiscal and administrative processes.
Protests and political accountability
Ruto’s comments refer to public demonstrations over economic and governance concerns, including the 2024 protests against the Finance Bill.
The proposed legislation included tax increases, but after mass demonstrations the President declined to sign it and the government withdrew the bill.
The protests also brought broader concerns about accountability and the cost of living into the national debate.
In his address, Ruto said the protests were a reminder that winning an election does not end public scrutiny.
He did not announce a specific new policy response to the demonstrations, but presented the proposed measures as part of efforts to ease household expenses and create opportunities.
The President also said political competition should focus on leaders’ records, policies and plans.
He said voters should assess the government by what it has delivered and what remains to be done as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election.
Ruto cited progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and employment programmes.
He said he would present an account of his administration’s achievements and remaining commitments to Kenyans.
The speech linked that responsibility to the sacrifices honoured on Mashujaa Day.
Ruto said every generation had a duty to expand opportunity and ensure that the freedoms secured by Kenya’s heroes were reflected in people’s daily lives.
The Constitution protects the right to peaceful, unarmed assembly and demonstrations.
Article 37 states that every person has the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities.
