On Thursday at 2 pm in Parliament, President William Ruto delivered a State of the Nation Address giving his administration’s scorecard and future endeavors.
The President addressed Kenyans on various issues from agriculture, education, health, Adani deals, abductions and femicide.
A section of Kenyans lauded him while others criticised him for an underwhelming speech.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who had previously called the government to do away with the Adani Group deals, lauded Ruto for canceling them.
Speaking to Citizen TV, he stated that the President had taken a step towards dealing harshly with corruption.
“I’m happy that the President has directed all ministries that any engagement including Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) with international donors or financiers, should be open and transparent,” he said.
“The President’s speech today was a brevity of soul of wit and we’re proud of it”.
The Environment CS Aden Duale also commented on the cancellation of the Adani Group deal saying that Ruto is a listening President.
“The direction of the President on Adani is a very clear signal on the war on corruption and the position of the President,” he said.
The President canceled the Adani Group takeover deal of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and that of the signed deal with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company, Ketraco.
Ruto said this was given new evidence by local investigative agencies and information from partner states that link the Indian conglomerate with graft.
“I now direct in, furtherance of principles enshrined in Article 10 of the constitution on transparency and accountability, and based on new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations, that the procuring agencies in the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA expansion private-public-partnership,” Ruto said.
Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen had a positive view on the address saying, “It was encouraging to hear the Head of State reaffirm that our nation is firmly on the path to progress and prosperity. Mbele Kuzuri”!
Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka however said Ruto's decision to cancel Adani's JKIA and Ketraco deals is not enough.
"It is not enough to cancel the Adani Group deals in JKIA and Ketraco; Adani is also in SHA/SHIF. Ruto should also cancel this daily immediately," he stated.
An X user lauded Ruto for his universal healthcare program, the Social Health Authority, saying it is a milestone worth remembering.
“This is now my President, a president who wants to involve the people always. This program will be President William Ruto's legacy in his first term,” he said.
Another user complained about the university funding model, which the President said was working.
“Is he aware of how many students were placed in wrong bands? Is he aware of how many students have dropped out because of this model,” she said.
Another faulted the government for just advocating against femicide instead of taking action.
"Femicide and GBV are grave issues, but I am still stuck on the fact that the state is focusing more on advocacy instead of taking action. State agencies mandated to address these issues need to swing into action,” he said.