BY MANUEL ODENY

President Ruto assured Kenyans that he was keen on implementing all the promises Kenya Kwanza made in its manifesto.

He said Kenya’s transformation has been delayed because the country lacked leaders with the capacity and courage to implement plans that will
change the lives of the country’s citizens.

“The politics of dishonesty is the problem in Kenya. Leaders promise many things during campaigns, but fail to implement when they are elected. In my case, I promised affordable housing, universal healthcare and revival of the sugar sector, among others, and I am implementing what I promised Kenyans,” President Ruto said.

Meanwhile, President Ruto has told off politicians opposed to the Social Health Authority, the new health insurance scheme recently introduced by the government, in the efforts to implement universal health coverage.

He said it was wrong for some leaders to mislead Kenyans about the programme.

“Instead of some leaders speaking for themselves that they do not want to pay more, they claim that the people do not want the programme. Where did you meet the people?” the President wondered.

He explained that under the new scheme, those earning more are paying more to cover for needy and vulnerable Kenyans.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the government is investing in critical value chains in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, the blue economy and mining.

“The government is using significant resources in these critical value chains to improve the lives of our people,” he said.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula praised President Ruto for the bold move to revive the sugar sector, saying it is the economic life of western Kenya.

“In fact, Mumias Sugar factory was a case study of rural agronomy. People those days wanted things to be done like at Mumias factory,” he said.

He said the Sugar Act will help eliminate cartels in the sector.