5 Things Ruto Promised Before Election

Kenya's fifth President Dr. William Samoei Ruto on August 7, 2022
Kenya's fifth President Dr. William Samoei Ruto on August 7, 2022
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William Ruto could be in charge of Africa's sixth richest economy should his win after August 9 polls be upheld, after his main opponent Raila Odinga vowed to proceed to the Supreme Court.

While chairing a meeting on Wednesday, August 17 in which all the Kenya Kwanza elected leaders except for MCAs were present, the outgoing Deputy President challenged the politicians not to look back but serve all Kenyans who have entrusted them with the leadership mantle.

“There is no looking back now, we are looking to the future. We all need all hands on the deck to move forward,” he said.

He is faced with enormous task ahead with million of Kenyans expecting him to deliver when he crisscrossed the country rallying masses behind his hustler narrative with endless and ambitious promises.

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DP William Ruto addresses a crowd during a Kenya Kwanza rally at the Msabaha stadium in Kilifi county on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
William Ruto

While unveiling his manifesto, he made hefty promises for the populace much of which he said would be delivered within 100 days in office. Kenyans.co.ke reminds you some of these pledges:

Hire teachers

During his campaigns two months to the election, Ruto promised to hire all unemployed teachers within two years if elected president. There are about 300,000 teachers who are yet to be employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

He promised to employ 50 per cent of them during the first year and the remaining 50 per cent in the following year.

"For each phase, we will hire 58,000 teachers beginning next year when we form the government to close the gap," the President-elect stated.

Half of administration to be women

The de facto Kenya Kwanza leader promised that his administration would constitute 50 per cent women. He noted that the elusive two-thirds gender rule will be implemented within the first three months of his administration.

It forms part of the pledge he made to mothers in the country including developing a program that will ensure teenage mothers return to school.

Lower cost of living in 100 days

On July 2, Ruto pledged to lower the cost of living within 100 days if elected the Head of State. This he said, would be supported through the establishment of agro-processing industries for farm inputs among farmers such as animal feeds and fertilizers.

He blamed the current food shortage on President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to end subsidies and failure to implement food security policies under the Big Four Agenda.

“The challenge of high cost of living can be dealt with by investing in agriculture, period. Explanations about Ukraine, I don’t know what, are tall tales,” Ruto stated.

Under his administration, Ruto and his allies stated that the price of 2 kilograms of maize flour would retail at below Ksh100.

Ksh.100 billion employment kitty for youth

While in Embu County, Ruto told the youth he would inject Ksh100 billion into the youth fund kitty to do away with growing rate of unemployment in the country.

He said issues of the youth must be dealt before elective leaders can talk about sharing positions. It is a pledge he made and that it would be achieved within his first 100 days in office.

Ruto also repeatedly promised to set aside Ksh50 billion under the hustler fund, that would go towards supporting Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs). However, he did not explain how the fund would be operationalized.

Health Cover for all

Ruto also noted that all Kenyans would get the National Hospital Insurance Funds (NHIF) cover at a subsidised rate when toured Joska, Machakos County. According to Ruto, those who would not be in a position to raise NHIF funds, his government would pay for them.

“God willing, by the end of this year, all Kenyans will have an NHIF cover. For those who cannot afford the monthly contributions, I will make sure the government pays for all of you,” he stated.

The president-elect has 12 days to start actualising the promises when he will be taking an oath of office on August 30. This, however, might fail to materialise due to an impending petition at the Supreme Court which Azimio leader Raila Odinga pledged to challenge his win.

Deputy President William Ruto and ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi during the Kenya Kwanza Youth charter at Nayo Stadium on June 27, 2022.
President William Ruto and ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi during the Kenya Kwanza Youth charter at Nyayo Stadium on June 27, 2022.