{
  "id": 5243600,
  "title": "Charles Owino defends Ruto, tells Kenyans to work hard",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/charles-owino-defends-ruto-tells-kenyans-to-work-hard",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T04:19:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/charles-owino-defends-ruto-tells-kenyans-to-work-hard"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Government spokesperson Charles Owino has defended President William Ruto's performance during his time in office, stating that the Head of State has fulfilled the key promises outlined in his campaign manifesto. Owino urged Kenyans to work diligently to enhance their livelihoods. He highlighted the government's implementation of programs aimed at agriculture, affordable housing, and access to essential services, claiming that the administration's achievements have not been sufficiently acknowledged by the public.\n\nOwino emphasized that the President had a clear manifesto, which he argued had been successfully executed. He specifically pointed to the fertiliser programme as an example of the government's commitment to its manifesto promises. This initiative involves registering farmers through a digital system, granting them direct access to subsidised fertiliser, thereby reducing their costs and boosting agricultural production.\n\nAdditionally, Owino praised the Affordable Housing Programme, urging Kenyans who are eligible to register and apply for housing through the Boma Yangu platform. He challenged those who criticized the program without even attempting to access its benefits. To illustrate the potential long-term advantages of the housing program, Owino used the example of a worker saving KSh2,000 monthly. Over 20 years, this would amount to KSh24,000 annually and KSh480,000 in total, offering a more affordable alternative to purchasing a three-bedroom house in the market.\n\nThe government spokesperson stressed that while the government provides infrastructure, systems, and opportunities, it is also the responsibility of citizens to take full advantage of these. He encouraged young Kenyans with idle agricultural land to return to farming and seize the available opportunities to generate income. Owino reiterated that the government could not solve every individual's economic challenge and urged Kenyans to work hard and make the most of the opportunities created by government programmes.",
  "summary": "Government spokesperson Charles Owino has defended President William Ruto’s performance in office, saying the Head of State has delivered on the key promises contained in his manifesto and urging Kenyans to work hard to improve their livelihoods. Owino said the government had implemented programmes targeting agriculture, affordable housing and access to government services, arguing that […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Government implemented programs in agriculture, housing, and essential services.",
    "Owino urged Kenyans to work hard and utilize government opportunities."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Charles Owino's defence of President Ruto's performance shifts the onus of economic progress from the government to individual Kenyans, urging them to work hard and seize opportunities created by state programmes.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Charles Owino: Biometric identification in the health sector has helped curb corruption",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/charles-owino-biometric-identification-in-the-health-sector-has",
        "published": "2026-09-03T03:55:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}