Ruto: UDA and ODM are partners, not rivals

Kenya's President William Ruto clarified on Sunday that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are not competitors but partners in the country's transformation, working together under the Broad-Based Government framework. The President emphasized this partnership during a church service at Voice of Salvation And Healing Church in Kisumu, alongside Governors Anyang Nyongo, Ochilo Ayacko, and Gladys Wanga, as well as other leaders and MPs.

Ruto highlighted the government's progress in the past four years under the Kenya Kwanza administration, stating that they have fulfilled most of the pledges made during the 2022 General Election. The government, he said, has stabilized and grown the economy, making Kenya the 6th largest in Africa. Inflation has been reduced, exchange rates stabilized, and foreign exchange reserves have grown two and a half times.

The government has also addressed infrastructure development by paying pending bills and restarting over 6000km of stalled road projects.

In the agricultural sector, Ruto mentioned the government's efforts to transform the industry, support farmers, and combat cartels and brokers in key sectors like sugar, tea, milk, and coffee. The cost of fertiliser has been reduced from KSh7,000 in 2022 to KSh2,000 for a 50kg bag. Education-wise, the President reported the construction of 23,000 classrooms and the hiring of 100,000 teachers, with an additional 20,000 teachers expected to be recruited later this year.

The government has also streamlined the Competency-Based Curriculum and aims to fully fund all students joining universities, technical colleges, and Kenya Medical Training Colleges.

Moreover, Ruto outlined improvements in public health insurance under the Social Health Authority (SHA), making it more inclusive than the defunct National Hospital Infrastructure Fund (NHIF). As of now, 33 million Kenyans are registered with SHA in 23 months, quadrupling NHIF's previous 8 million in nearly 60 years. He also mentioned the Affordable Housing Programme, stating that it is creating jobs and making home ownership a reality for low-income earners.

Lastly, Ruto discussed the government's efforts to prepare for the upcoming El Nino rains, implementing measures to avoid unintended losses.