Ruto says democracy must go beyond elections to deliver economic freedom

Nairobi, Kenya - President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto joined Kenyans in observing Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Tuesday. Ruto highlighted the administration's achievements under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, outlining four additional measures to further improve the lives of Kenyans.

These measures include an exemption from Pay As You Earn (PAYE) income tax for earners earning KSh32,333 or less per month, reducing stamp duty on land and property transactions valued at KSh1 million or less, abolishing the import duty on mobile phones, and expanding the Public Service internship programme to accommodate 50,000 young Kenyans.

Ruto emphasized that Kenya's democracy should transcend mere elections and should be a contest of ideas, policies, and programmes, devoid of ethnic mathematics, personality attacks, or empty sloganeering. He challenged opposition leaders to propose their own solutions and held them accountable for their actions, stating that there is no contradiction between democracy, constitutionalism, and economic transformation.