- Ruto’s Government Rocked With Corruption Scandals.
- High Cost of Living and Ballooning Unemployment.
- Civil Servants Looming strikes due to Unpaid Salaries.
- Government is Facing Foreign and Local Debt Crisis
- Anglican Church Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit Complains about Nepotic state.
President William Ruto is facing a hard time in fulfilling what he had promised Kenyans during his campaigns. A section of Kenyans are crying to the state claiming that the President’s administration has failed to address their needs, some of them have gone further saying that they regret electing him on the hustler narrative because they are the ones feeling the weight of the prevailing economic crisis.
When the President took office, he promised to bring change and work on the challenges that undermined the previous regime. The President presented Kenya Kwanza’s plan during the launch of their manifesto in Kasarani Stadium.
Eight months into his administration, Ruto is facing a series of issues testing his leadership and threatening to throw the government into turmoil.
Corruption Scandals.
Corruption scandals are some of the most significant issues that have circled Ruto’s administration, involving the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). The scandal worth billions of shillings, exposed the mismanagement and corruption within the state-owned company. Ruto acted swiftly by eliminating key officials involved in the scandal, but the opposition leader Raila Odinga says that there might be hidden revelations that need more attention.
The opposition Leader has said that there is information that should be looked into deeper from that extent and so there are more revelations the government should disclose. “I think this is not the only scandal in the authority. I expect that we will see more revelations in the government,” Raila said to the press briefing.
“I expect that we will see more revelations in the government about KEMSA.” Opposition Leader Raila Odinga. Image, The Standard.
President William Ruto cracked the whip at the scandal-ridden KEMSA, firing the Principal Secretary at the State Department of Public Health Dr Josephine Mburu, and the entire board. He appointed former PS Irungu Nyakera as the new board chair, replacing the incumbent, former Keiyo South MP Daniel Rono, and reconstituted the board with Hesbon Oyieko Omolo, Bernard Kipkirui Bett, Dr. Jane Masiga and Jane Nyagaturi Mbatia as the new board members.
He later appointed Dr Andrew Mutava Mulwa as the new Kemsa chief executive, replacing embattled Terry Ramadhani who was suspended during the purge.
Those suspended alongside Ramadhani included Kemsa and Health Ministry staff—Martin Wamwea (MoH), Lenson Kariuki (MoH), Dr. Pauline Duya (MoH), Livingstone Njuguna (MoH), Dr. Charles Kariuki Chege (MoH), Justus Kinoti (Kemsa), Cosmas Rotich (Kemsa) and Anthony Chege (Kemsa).
The sackings came as anti-corruption detectives camped at Ramadhani’s office as they searched for documents related to the ‘Covid heist’ during which hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money is believed to have been lost through irregular deals.
Foreign and local debts
The issue of Kenya’s growing debts is another major hurdle for Ruto. The country’s public debt is nearing the KSh10 trillion mark, leaving little headroom for government to look in that direction. Civil servants have experienced delays in receiving their salaries, and county governments are owed a significant amount of money in their allocation. The financial squeeze has caused paralysis at the county level and left many workers without being paid for months.
High cost of living and Ballooning unemployment
Despite his promises to reduce the high cost of living, the price of basic commodities remains high, and the recent plan to increase petroleum prices will only add weight to the burden. On this, Unemployment and the high cost of living are two other pressing challenges for Ruto.
Cherargei said Kenya Kwanza inherited a dilapidated economy and other issues that could not permit the new administration to deliver its mandate freely. The proposal to reintroduce VAT on petroleum products could further worsen the situation for struggling Kenyans. Ruto’s administration also faces criticism over the controversial 3% housing levy, which has been deemed unsustainable by some, leading to concerns about job losses. Cherargei defended the bill saying it was the best route for generating income because borrowing more would sink the country. ‘The government needs revenue and there are only two options. Either we borrow more and accumulate more debt or we increase taxes and make sure it works for all of us,’ he said.
“The government needs revenue and there are only two options. Either we borrow more and accumulate more debt or we increase taxes and make sure it works for all of us.”Nandi senator, Samson Cherargei. Image, The Star.
Roysambu MP Augustine Kamande also came to the president’s defense, saying that despite teething problems, the Kenya Kwanza administration is on the right track.
‘The high cost of living will come down in August after the harvest as the government has invested in subsidized fertilizer to boost agricultural production,’ he said.
Looming multisectoral strike
The looming multisectoral strike poses yet another challenge for Ruto. Health workers have threatened to go on strike due to non-payment of salaries stretching to months. These potential strikes could disrupt essential services and put additional pressure on Ruto’s administration.
President Ruto is facing a looming strike by health workers who have threatened to put down their tools over non-payment of salaries and statutory deductions.
“We wish to emphasize that this is not a strike notice, but rather a demonstration of our members’ inability to report to work due to lack of resources,” a letter from at least five unions reads in part.
The unions said that doctors are unable to meet their daily needs, including transport, food, and accommodation.
Apart from the medics, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) is also threatening a strike if the National Assembly approves the three percent housing levy.
“If the government does not listen to us, we are ready to take legal action or any other action we deem fit to make the government listen to us,” said Nairobi Knut Secretary-General Macharia Mugwe.
Criticism over Nepotism
President is also facing criticism over alleged nepotism in state appointments and hiring individuals with questionable integrity. Concerns have been raised about tribalism and regional appointments in the public service, which have been condemned by various quarters, including the Anglican Church Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit. The need for impartiality and merit-based appointments has been emphasized as a way to serve all Kenyans and avoid political influence.
The alleged tribalism and nepotism in the Commander-in-Chief’s appointments have created a storm in the country, with the Church being the first to raise concerns.
Several quarters have come out to condemn the growing trend, with the Anglican Church condemning the creeping tribal and regional appointments in the public service.
‘There is blatant tribalism and nepotism, especially in public appointments,’ said Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit.
‘This is not acceptable. Let all government institutions and offices be impartial and not simply beholden to political influence, and serve all Kenyans with impartiality’. He added.
{Article by Abisai Maloba}