- In the last three days, some of Ruto's CSs have appeared in top TV stations to make bare the Kenya Kwanza programmes.
- The appearances are aimed at giving Kenyans opportunities to ask questions and seek clarifications about Kenya Kwanza programmes.
Image: ALICE WAHOME/X
President William Ruto has instructed Cabinet Secretaries to lead from the front in explaining the government's agenda.
Now Ruto has deployed them to engage Kenyans on live TV and radio shows to counter misinformation and disinformation about his programmes.
Those deployed include those perceived to have a solid grasp of the government's agenda and programmes for ease of engagement with Kenyans.
The President reportedly stressed the need for the CSs to make frequent TV and Radio appearances during his Cabinet meeting on Thursday at the State House.
On Friday, Ruto will have an engagement with Generation Z, to explain his policies and respond to their concerns after a wave of protests against his administration.
It is understood that the government is moving to bridge the information gaps blamed for misinformation and distortions that reportedly roiled the withdrawn Finance Bill, of 2024.
In the last three days, some of Ruto's CSs have appeared on top TV stations to make bare the Kenya Kwanza's status update and put their ears on the ground.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Moses Kuria (Public Service and Government Delivery) and Kithure Kindiki (Interior and National Administration) are some of those who have already made appearances.
On Wednesday, Kuria appeared on KTN News' 9 pm prime show hosted by Ken Mijungu to explain the government programme.
The CS said it is time for leaders to deliver without "wasting a single day".
"We are short of time, we can't wait one single day all these bureaucracies, so what we need to have is a sharper focus on delivery so that we can be able to deliver results for Kenyans," Kuria said.
On the same day, Duale was on Citizen TV's JKL show hosted by Jeff Koinange to paint a picture of what the government has done and highlight programmes in the pipeline.
The CS affirmed that Ruto is firmly in control of the government despite protests by the young generation.
He took time to explain why the Kenya Defence Forces(KDF) was deployed following days of protests across the country.
Duale said the goons had elaborate plans to burn down Parliament and the Supreme Court before heading to State House.
He, however, says the plan was thwarted by KDF and other security agencies in the country.
"The Gen Zs wanted maybe to occupy the open space between the mausoleum and Parliament but the hired gangs on that Tuesday had a systematic plan to burn Parliament, the Supreme Court and maybe the whole of the government square and then go to State House," Duale said.
"Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), our security agents did good work to make sure they save those institutions."
On Thursday, it was the turn of Kindiki to explain the response of the government security forces to protesters.
There have been concerns that police used excessive and lethal force against unarmed protesters.
Kindiki has denied reports that the government abducted some Kenyans before, during and after the anti-Finance Bill protests.
“From where we sit, the people who have been put in custody, have been put in custody through arrests. There have been no abductions," Kindiki said.
More CSs are expected to appear on top radio and TV talk shows and field questions in live interviews to inform Kenyans about government programmes.
The appearances are aimed at giving Kenyans opportunities to ask questions and seek clarifications about Kenya Kwanza programmes.
The top government officials will use the sessions to engage citizens on their fears about the implementation of the government's manifesto.
The CSs will highlight the progress of the various projects that have been rolled out by the government in the last 22 months of President Ruto's presidency.
Ruto will mark two years in office on September 13, the day he took the oath of office and received the instruments of power from his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.
In his interview on Sunday, Ruto said that his Cabinet would have done better in explaining the Finance Bill, 2024 to Kenyans.
"The Cabinet I have maybe could have done better and I am going to do soul searching on how we are going to move forward,'' he said.
On Friday, former Cabinet Minister Kipruto Kirwa, however, said it would have been better if President Ruto kept off the Gen Z X space.
He said the president should refrain from being in the forefront of every fire.
''The meeting with Gen Z is ill-advised. It is a big mistake,'' Kirwa said.
''What he should have done is to see how the various organs of government should have interfaced with the young people and at the right time he comes in when he is called to do so.''