Ruto’s Nonstop Battle: President’s Tireless Efforts in Tackling Emergencies
As he took the oath of office in front of a crowded and expectant crowd at the Kasarani stadium, President William Ruto vowed to do things differently than the previous administration, in which he had also served as Deputy President.
He began by reversing some of his predecessor’s decrees. Six judges who had been blocked by his predecessor, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, were appointed, the police were given an independent budget, and farmers were given access to inexpensive fertilizer.
However, eight months later, the administration faces numerous obstacles that threaten to destabilize the government.
A scandal involving billions of shillings has rocked the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa), counties are bankrupt, civil servants threaten to go on strike, and the cost of living has skyrocketed. Controversial taxes and levies are likely to make life more difficult for the majority of Kenyans who are already struggling.
In addition, the government of Kenya Kwanza faces an Opposition that refuses to accept defeat and maintains that the administration is illegitimate.
After enduring weeks of anti-government demonstrations, the Head of State is now in the eye of another storm as he confronts the new Kemsa scandal.
The scandal-plagued state-owned company botched a Sh3.7 billion bid to supply millions of low-income households with treated bed nets to prevent malaria.
The most recent scandal has cost the government at least Sh370 million in lost revenue and a damaged international reputation. Dr. Ruto has moved swiftly to rectify the situation.
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Public Health Principal Secretary (PS) Josephine Mburu, as well as the entire Kemsa board and its CEO Terry Ramadhani, were sent home.
He also revoked the positions of Kemsa chairman Daniel Rono and members of the disgraced board, just three months after their appointments.
Raila Odinga, leader of the opposition, described Dr. Mburu’s dismissal as a reactive response to a significant problem within Kemsa.
“I believe this is not the authority’s only scandal. On Monday, he stated, “I anticipate additional revelations from this administration.”
The high unemployment rate presents Dr. Ruto with a fresh nightmare.
The promise to reduce the cost of living has not produced immediate results, as the price of unga and other essentials remains above Sh200.
After the government removed diesel and kerosene subsidies, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) increased the price of kerosene in Nairobi by Sh15.19 per liter to Sh161.13 in its most recent review of petroleum prices for the 15 May to 14 June cycle.
If Parliament approves a proposal in the controversial Finance Bill of 2023 to reinstate a 16% VAT on petroleum products, up from 8%, the situation could deteriorate beginning in July.
The President has also reneged on his promise to make cooking gas cheaper beginning next month.
In addition, President Ruto must contend with a controversial three percent housing levy, which he claims is mandatory.
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The plan is also included in the Finance Bill 2023, in which the National Treasury proposes mandating a 3% deduction from workers’ wages for the National Housing Development Fund, with matching contributions from employers.
In exchange, workers will receive either a home or their savings with interest.
In February, the government increased NSSF deductions from Sh200 per worker to 6% of salaries, with many workers now paying Sh1,080.
President Ruto also proposed increasing National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) payroll deductions to 2.7% of the basic salary last month.
The housing tax has received significant criticism.
Thousands of Kenyans could lose their jobs, according to the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE).
FKE executive director Jacqueline Mugo stated that the proposal was unfeasible because the majority of employers struggled with the high cost of doing business.
However, Kenya Kwanza legislators have defended the President by asserting that the challenges facing his administration are not his fault.
Samson Cherargei, a senator from Nandi, stated that the Kenya Kwanza administration is on the right track, as President Ruto inherited a deteriorating economy and other political challenges that threatened to destabilize the nation.
He characterized Dr. Ruto’s swift and decisive response to the Kemsa scandal as evidence that, unlike in the past, his administration will not have any sacred cows.
“The President is settling in, and his first budget is on the way to implement his plans. Contrary to the expectations of political detractors, the government is on the right track, and I can assure you that the economy will soon stabilize,” said Mr. Cherargei.
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He also defended the 2023 Finance Bill, arguing that the government needed to be able to deliver on its promises and pay its ballooning debts.
“The government requires revenue, and it has only two options.” Either we borrow more and accumulate more debt, or we raise taxes and ensure that the system works for everyone,” he said.
According to Nyaribari Chache representative Zaheer Jhanda. The president’s prompt response to the Kemsa scandal demonstrates his commitment to combating corruption.
“If Uhuru had taken the same actions as Ruto, the Kemsa participants would be in jail today,” Jhanda said.
“The President is demonstrating to Kenyans that under his leadership, not even a single coin will be lost, regardless of where you come from.”
Regarding the cost of living, he stated that the issue is global and not unique to the Kenyan government. But that the President is doing everything he can to reverse the situation.
“The issue of the cost of living will take time to resolve, but we will get there eventually,” said the UDA representative.
Augustine Kamande, an MP from Roysambu, also defended the president. Stating that despite teething problems, the Kenya Kwanza administration was on the right track.
“The high cost of living will decrease in August following the harvest because the government has invested in subsidized fertilizer to increase agricultural production,” he said.
As the country’s public debt approaches Sh10 trillion. President Ruto has found himself in a difficult position as he has no room for maneuvering.
Ruto’s Nonstop Battle: President’s Tireless Efforts in Tackling Emergencies
As a result, civil servants’ March pay has been delayed, and even legislators have been affected by the cash crunch.
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At the county level, most devolved units are on the verge of total paralysis. Because they are owed at least Sh94 billion in the equitable share of revenue distributions.
The county governments have not yet received their February, March, and April allocations, leaving decentralized unit employees unpaid for months.
“We’ve never been here before in my five years as a governor, and the situation in the counties is truly dire,” said Anne Waiguru, governor of Kirinyaga and chair of the Council of Governors.
The financial settlement means that counties will only receive Sh385 billion in equitable share allocations. For the next fiscal year, as opposed to the Sh407 billion that the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) had proposed.
President Ruto faces an impending strike by health workers. Who have threatened to stop working due to unpaid wages and statutory deductions.
A letter from at least five unions states in part, “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 a lack of resources.”
Doctors are unable to meet their daily needs, including transportation, food, and housing, according to the unions.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has also threatened a strike. If the National Assembly approves the 3% housing levy.
Macharia Mugwe, secretary-general of Nairobi Knut, stated, “If the government does not listen to us, we are prepared to take legal action or any other action we deem appropriate to make the government listen to us.”
The government of Dr. Ruto must also contend with an unyielding opposition. That has declared his administration illegitimate and is demanding that several issues be addressed.
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The President and Mr. Odinga have exchanged barbs on multiple occasions regarding the high cost of living. Opposition-led demonstrations, Kenya’s debt burden, and proposed taxes in the Finance Bill of 2023.
Mr. Odinga has singled out an increase in the value-added tax on maize flour and pharmaceuticals. Higher import duties on cement, and the imposition of a sales tax on small businesses.
Mr. Odinga also mentioned the income tax adjustment of 35% for those earning Sh500,000 per month. The 3% deduction from salaries to support the housing fund. The 15% tax on digital content creators, the 30% tax on per diems, and the tax on beauty products.
The Opposition has urged the National Assembly to reject the “punitive” tax measures. Arguing that they will raise the cost of living and harm the economy.
“Kenya Kwanza must be prepared to mobilize citizens across the country to fight for themselves if this bill is rammed through the U.S. Congress,” if this bill is passed.
Mr. Odinga stated on Tuesday, “We will have no choice but to mobilize all social sectors and take all necessary political actions to stop this blow and burden.”
The President is also criticized for entrenching nepotism in State appointments and employing individuals with questionable moral character.
The Church was the first to express concern over the alleged nepotism and tribalism in the Commander-in-Chief’s appointments. Which has sparked a national uproar.
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Several parties have condemned the growing trend. Including the Anglican Church, which has condemned the creeping tribal and regional appointments in the public sector.
“There is blatant tribalism and nepotism, especially in public appointments,” stated the Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit.
“This is inadmissible. Let all government institutions and offices be free from political influence and impartially serve all Kenyans.
In the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. “State capture” concerns have been raised in light of the mass dismissal of corruption and economic crimes cases brought against politicians allied with the President.
Ruto’s Nonstop Battle: President’s Tireless Efforts in Tackling Emergencies
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