KONGAMANO LA MAPINDUZI RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT RUTO ’s STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS: CRITICIZED ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE FAILURES.
BY NJOKI KARANJA.
Kongamano La Mapinduzi (KLM) has issued a scathing response to President William Ruto’s recent State of the Nation Address, accusing the government of failing to address the deep-rooted challenges facing Kenyans. While the President painted an optimistic picture of Kenya’s future, KLM argues that the government’s policies over the past two years have only deepened economic inequality, corruption, and eroded democratic freedoms.
In its statement, KLM highlighted key areas where the government’s actions have been detrimental to the majority of Kenyans, offering a series of people-centered solutions.
Economic Mismanagement and Rising Cost of Living
KLM criticized the Kenya Kwanza administration’s economic approach, especially its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which it claims has not provided meaningful relief for Kenyans. Despite government assertions of reduced inflation and a stable currency, the rising cost of living continues to burden families, with food prices, fuel costs, and housing remaining unaffordable for many. KLM also condemned the Finance Bill 2024, passed amidst public outcry, which imposed harsh taxes on ordinary citizens while turning a blind eye to rampant corruption, such as the fake fertilizer scandal.
KLM’s solutions include repealing punitive tax measures, implementing a progressive tax system, and establishing transparent oversight to ensure public funds are directed towards healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Governance and Accountability Failures
The statement also criticized the government’s failure to live up to its promises of good governance, with KLM pointing to the ongoing extrajudicial disappearances, police brutality, and lack of transparency in public spending. The absence of significant reforms, such as the long-awaited Conflict of Interest Bill, was highlighted as evidence of the government’s reluctance to tackle governance issues head-on.
KLM called for stronger accountability measures, including the enactment of key legislation, the reform of the security sector, and the restoration of public participation in decision-making.
Education Reforms Leave the Poor Behind
KLM raised concerns about the administration’s education reforms, particularly the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which it argues remains inaccessible to many due to poor implementation and high costs. The statement emphasized the need to fully fund public education, abolish school-related fees, and increase teacher recruitment to address shortages in underserved areas.
Youth Unemployment and Economic Opportunities
The group criticized the government’s reliance on programs like the Hustler Fund and labor migration schemes to tackle youth unemployment, arguing that these initiatives benefit a small group while leaving the majority of young people without meaningful opportunities. KLM proposes investment in local job creation through public works, manufacturing, and agriculture, as well as expanding digital infrastructure and supporting youth entrepreneurship.
Agriculture and Food Security: A Missed Opportunity
On agriculture, KLM noted that while the government boasts of gains in agricultural production, many smallholder farmers remain marginalized. The statement called for subsidies on agricultural inputs, stronger farmer cooperatives, and investments in sustainable farming practices to ensure food security and fair market prices for small-scale farmers.
KLM Calls for a Transformative, People-Driven Agenda
As KLM convenes its 2024 Congress in Nairobi, it reaffirms its commitment to holding the government accountable and amplifying the voices of ordinary Kenyans. Through initiatives like the #BungeMustGo campaign, KLM seeks to demand leadership that prioritizes the needs of the people over political elites. The group urged Kenyans from all walks of life to join them in building a more just, equitable, and accountable Kenya.
In its closing remarks, KLM vowed to continue its advocacy for systemic change, with the hope that a transformative agenda would guide Kenya towards a future grounded in fairness, opportunity, and the rule of law.
