Former Principal Secretary and Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC) board chairperson Irungu Nyakera has called on citizens to speak up and hold the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government accountable to its 2022 promises, saying the country is facing an economic crisis.
In a message shared on his X account on Saturday, April 5, Nyakera urged citizens to focus on the promises made by the UDA government during the 2022 elections instead of being distracted by early talks about 2027.
“Kenya is bleeding. Inflation is at a six-month high. Banks aren’t lending. Loan defaults are at 15%. Almost Ksh.1 trillion in pending bills. Small businesses are shutting. Youth are jobless,” he said.
Nyakera accused those in power of indulging in expensive motorcades and PR campaigns while ordinary families struggle to make ends meet.
“Families cannot make ends meet, and yet, our leaders are moving around in choppers and big convoys, selling hope through PR and handouts,” he stated.
Nyakera urged Kenyans, especially the youth and small business owners, to push the government to act immediately, not just make promises for the future.
“It’s time for the hustlers, the dreamers, the youth, and all Kenyans to demand that the UDA government deliver on the promises made to Kenyans in 2022. It’s not about 2027; it’s about 2022,” he added.
He said this days after President William Ruto revoked his appointment as part of changes in government appointments, just as Irungu began becoming a harsh critic of the government.
In the gazette notice published on Tuesday, April 1, Ruto announced the appointment of Samuel Waweru for three years as the new chairperson of the historical convention point.
''In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 43 (1) (a) of the Tourism Act, as read together with Section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Samuel Waweru Mwangi to be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 1st April, 2025. The appointment of Irungu Nyakera is revoked,'' read part of the notice.
Irungu, in a statement on Thursday, April 3, downplayed the significance of the role, explaining that it was not a high-paying or powerful position.
"Under State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) guidelines, a board chair earns a net of Ksh54,000 honorarium per month plus Ksh7,000 in airtime," he said.
"Sitting allowance is Ksh14,000 per meeting, capped at 10 meetings a year. No pension, no perks, no executive powers," he explained
