Ruto: Kenya's leaders have failed to deliver prosperity since independence

President William Ruto has blamed Kenya’s political leadership, past and present, accusing them of betraying the nation and failing to steer it toward prosperity.

Speaking during the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Kenya’s 100th anniversary celebrations at Nyang’ori in Vihiga County on Saturday, Ruto lamented that Kenya has remained stuck in the third world, while countries it shared independence timelines with in the 1960s are thriving.

He was referring to countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea that have since grown into first-world economies.

“Those we were with as peers at independence are now first-world nations. Kenya, with all its potential, is still dragging in the third world. The problem is not with the citizens; the problem is us, the leaders,” Ruto said.

The President faulted successive governments for prioritising politics over service delivery, leaving behind a trail of wasted opportunities. 

He accused leaders of pursuing short-term political gains instead of implementing long-term development strategies.

“For decades, us as leaders have derailed progress but I warn you we must get out of the third world status by sheer determination and our commitment to our vision,” he said. 

Ruto also criticised opposition figures for politicising national programs such as the Social Health Authority (SHA) and affordable housing, insisting that resistance to reform has slowed down Kenya’s growth.

“Some leaders would rather see projects fail just to score political points against the government. That is why, 60 years after independence, Kenyans are still demanding the basics—food, healthcare, jobs, and shelter,” he said.

He warned that unless leaders put aside political rivalries and supported national priorities, the cycle of underdevelopment would continue. 

“History will judge us harshly if we continue playing games with the future of our children. Our people deserve more than empty rhetoric,” Ruto said.

The President urged Kenyans to rally behind his administration’s projects, saying his government was committed to breaking the cycle of stagnation and steering the nation toward first-world status.

On healthcare, Ruto defended the new SHA model, citing progress in Vihiga where 260,000 residents—out of a population of 590,000—have already registered, compared to only 20,000 previously enrolled under the National Hospital Insurance Fund. 

He warned that health facilities still charging registered citizens for outpatient services would face sanctions.

“When any citizen is registered on SHA, they can access outpatient treatment at no cost. Any institution that charges for this service will be put on notice,” he said.

Ruto said the government had allocated Sh3.7 billion to cover 2.2 million vulnerable Kenyans, ensuring that no one would be denied treatment.

On agriculture, he highlighted reforms including the registration of 7.1 million farmers, elimination of cartels in the fertilizer supply chain, and an increase in maize production from 40 million to 64 million bags, with a target of 75 million bags this year. 

He also noted that Kenya had secured new export markets in the United States for local produce.
In education, the President pointed to the employment of 100,000 new teachers, the construction of 23,000 classrooms, and reforms in higher education funding aimed at fairness and equity. 

“No child in Kenya should be left behind in matters of education,” he said, while recognizing PAG’s historic role in expanding schools and literacy across the country.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who had accompanied Ruto echoed the call for unity, urging Kenyans to work with the President instead of continuous criticism. 

“Let us reason together as a nation and work with the President to create jobs, food security, good health, and affordable housing,” he said.

The event was attended by Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, and Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, among other leaders.

Sabatia MP Clement Sloya used the occasion to call for a reduction in the cost of replacing lost national identity cards, arguing that the high charges discourage young people from registering as voters. 

He was referring to the low numbers of new registrations under the recently launched exercise by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)

“This cost is too high and is locking out many young people who want to vote,” Sloya said.

Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor (Jalang’o) and Makadara MP George Aladwa also urged the youth to register in large numbers to secure their role in shaping the country’s future. 

Ruto indicated his administration would consider lowering the cost of ID replacement but warned against repeated loss of the documents.

The celebrations marked a major milestone for PAG Kenya, which traces its roots to the early 1900s when Canadian missionaries Rev. Charles Selmon and his wife settled in Nyang’ori. The church has since grown into one of Kenya’s largest Pentecostal movements, with 4.6 million congregants, 8,000 pastors, and more than 7,000 assemblies nationwide.

PAG Kenya General Superintendent Bishop Kenneth Adiara described the church’s story as one of faith, resilience, and social transformation. 

He praised its contribution to education, healthcare, and peacebuilding, while urging young people to embrace voter registration as a tool for positive change.

“We call on the youth to register and use the ballot as a way of transformation, not protests on the streets,” he said.