Ruto Vows to Defy Critics and Deliver ‘Transformative’ Leadership

NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has expressed confidence in his government’s ability to navigate the country through challenging times and deliver transformative progress, despite mounting criticism of his policies.

Speaking at State House on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, during the signing of ministerial performance contracts, Ruto assured Kenyans that his administration is steadfast in its commitment to success.

“I promise you, we will confound the naysayers,” he declared. “This country will not fail; it will succeed. The enemies of Kenya will be put to shame.”

Acknowledging the nation’s economic difficulties, the president emphasized that his government possesses the right team, resources, and determination to achieve its goals.

“There’s no room for failure. We must succeed. This home that God has given us, we must work tirelessly to make it succeed, to make it great,” he stated.

Addressing Kenya’s long-standing reliance on food imports, Ruto highlighted his administration’s push for self-sufficiency in agriculture.

“For a very long time, we have imported food in Kenya when we can produce enough food in our country. This year, by God’s grace, we will not import some of the food products, including maize,” he revealed.

The president also outlined his vision for overhauling the education sector, describing it as a pivotal moment in the country’s development.

“We have decided this time round to bite the bullet and sort out the funding in our education sector,” he noted, signaling a bold shift toward sustainable financing.

Ruto addressed criticism surrounding his Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, reaffirming his determination to succeed where his predecessors struggled.

“Two successive presidents have attempted, and they didn’t quite succeed. We have decided that we are taking on this challenge,” he said, underscoring the significance of health reforms for the country’s future.

At the event, the president also emphasized the importance of performance contracts as a tool for fostering accountability and collaboration across ministries.

“One ministry affects the overall performance of government. Using the whole-of-government approach, we must build the necessary synergy to succeed together,” Ruto stated.

He praised performance contracting as a robust framework that ensures efficient use of public resources to meet constitutional mandates and citizen expectations.