John Mweha Kariuki, a concerned citizen and resident of Kiambaa Constituency, has written a letter to President William Ruto, urging him to address major issues affecting Kenyans, including the troubled Social Health Authority (SHA), the Housing Levy, and the succession of power for the Deputy President, among other concerns.
Kariuki is not new to Kenyans, he is the man behind the petition for the removal of the ‘Naked Boy’ statue next to the Supreme Court and the petition to remove 12 skeleton cravings in parliament.
In the letter, Kariuki is requesting Ruto to intervene in a petition he filed to amend the election and swearing-in process of a Deputy President.
He filed the petition on June 3, 2024, seeking the addition of a clause to Article 148 of the Constitution, stating that the Deputy President shall be ineligible to vie for the presidency immediately after completing their term.
According to Kariuki, the proposals aim to prevent conflicts of interest within the Executive and ensure seamless transitions in government leadership.
Almost eight months after the petition, he has not seen any progress and is now seeking Ruto to intervene and facilitate discussions on the proposal.
"I urge your office to facilitate discussions on this proposal in the interest of governance stability," the letter read in part.
Kariuki has also asked the president to reconsider the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA requesting him to reinstate NHIF, incorporating necessary reforms to enhance efficiency, accountability, and accessibility.
He argues that the transition resulted in widespread inefficiencies, limiting access to essential medical services for many Kenyans.
While aiming to ease the tax burden on Kenyans, the concerned citizen has asked Ruto to make the mandatory Housing Levy voluntary, allowing citizens to opt in based on their financial capacity rather than enforcing compulsory deductions.
Weighing in on the recent debate over donations to churches, Kariuki has called for clear regulations on political donations to religious institutions.
"While religious organisations play a fundamental role in society, unrestricted donations from politicians have, in some instances, been used for political patronage. Implementing transparent guidelines will help preserve the sanctity of religious institutions and reinforce ethical governance," the letter continued.
He also called for youth empowerment and employment, as well as the strengthening of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
