President William Ruto has promised a total of over Sh630 million during his tours across the country in 2024 alone. However, over 90% of these promises remain unfulfilled.
After two years in office, the Kenya Kwanza administration has encountered challenges, with his critics accusing him of reversing most of the promises made during the campaign season.
In the past year alone, the president has pledged over Ksh. 630 million during his tour across the country, signalling a return to the 2022 campaign season, when he splashed funds across the nation to woo the public.
Known for his political shrewdness, the president is in the spotlight to honor his promises and silence critics who argue that he rose to power based on a culture of lying.
In March 2024, the head of state promised to give the Salvation Army Church Ksh. 50 million to complete pending projects.
“Because I understand what they are coming to ask me, I have already agreed to give 50 million shillings to support the work they are doing,” he said while attending the church’s 100-year celebrations at Ulinzi Stadium.
The construction of hotels at KMTC in Tharaka Nithi will cost Ksh. 30 million on July 25, 2024.
Four months later, President Ruto pledged another Ksh. 30 million while commissioning the Kenya Medical Training College’s (KMTC) Marimanti Campus in Tharaka Nithi County.
He noted that the funds would assist in constructing hostels on campus, emphasising that the government is committed to training healthcare workers to support the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
The first university in Nyamira will receive Ksh. 500 million on August 12, 2024.
During a tour in the Gusii region, President Ruto announced the establishment of the first university within Nyamira County, pledging Ksh. 500 million for its construction.
Primarily perceived as a political maneuver to appease the region before 2027, the president encouraged residents to support their leaders in promoting development.
“Area MP Joash Nyamoko has revealed a secret here. We were waiting for the due process to be completed. However, Nyamoko’s revelation of the secret leaves me with no other option. Before the end of this year, I will come to inspect the university’s progress,” Ruto noted.
On November 15, 2024, Tangaza University will receive Ksh. 50 million to help build resources.
While attending Tangaza University’s inaugural graduation, the president promised Ksh. 50 million to construct a resource centre—a pledge that received applause from the crowd.
The pledge came months after the president had awarded the institution a charter in May 2024, whereby he noted that the university would meet the growing demand for higher education and focus on elevating the common mwananchi.
One of the students earlier informed me that this esteemed institution is developing a resource center. They requested that I explore potential ways to provide support. I have discussed this with the Ministry of Education, and the government will support that resource centre with Ksh. 50 million,” Ruto noted.
Two days later, the head of state pledged a Ksh.5 million donation for the construction of the parish priest’s house, accompanied by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s Ksh.200,000 contribution.
The public and clergy harshly criticized the pledge and declined the donation, citing ethical concerns.
According to Philip Anyolo, Nairobi Metropolitan Archbishop, the donation violated the Public Fundraising Appeals Bill 2024. He announced that the two leaders would receive a refund of the funds.
“We call the Church to uphold integrity by refusing contributions that may unintentionally compromise its independence or facilitate unjust enrichment.” He urged political leaders to demonstrate ethical leadership by addressing the pressing issues raised by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Recently, the clergy shed light on Ruto’s regime’s culture of lies and its failure to fulfill the promises made to Kenyans, revealing a hidden agenda.
“We believe that genuine consultation with all concerned stakeholders in all these matters is necessary, beyond casual public participation. The clergy noted that we need to deal with this unacceptable culture of lies, unkept promises, and misplaced priorities.
“Not to be perturbed, the president retaliated against the clergy, urging them to stick to the facts when engaging in public discourse.
“Even as we engage in public discourse on matters that are important to the people of Kenya, we must be careful to be factual lest we become victims of the things we accuse others of doing,” he stated.
However, analysts say that before the year ends, the figure will rise to approximately Sh1 billion as more promises will be taking place.
