Be patient, Ruto can't deal with 60-year-old problems in two years - Sakaja to Kenyans

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has come to President William Ruto's defence, urging Kenyans to be patient with the government's progress and not judge its efforts too harshly after just two years in office.

Speaking during a church service in Soweto on Sunday, Sakaja acknowledged the public frustration over unmet promises but argued that the challenges facing the nation have been years in the making and cannot be fixed overnight.

He urged Kenyans to give President Ruto more time to deliver on his ambitious plans, citing his short time in office.

"The other day I went to Murang'a and people asked me about MauMau Road. But Mau Mau stopped fighting in 1963, and we had the first president for 14 years, the second one for 24 years, and the road got worse. The third one served for ten years and still no road. The fourth one came and still no road. But you, in just two years, and the blame is already on you. Is that fair? In two years, he is expected to solve a 60-year problem," Sakaja said, defending the president’s efforts.

Sakaja reminded the congregation that significant infrastructure projects, such as Thika Road, were completed much later in previous administrations, while the Nairobi Expressway took years to finish under the previous government.

"There is an aroma of good work happening. We need to give you time, you have only been president for two years. Thika Road was built in the fifth year. The Expressway was done in the ninth year," he added.

President Ruto, who also attended the service, expressed his confidence that his administration would transform the country despite the challenges and criticism.

The president addressed calls to slow down on some of his more unpopular reforms, asserting that the country would see significant improvements in food security, healthcare and affordable housing.

"By the grace of God, this country is not going to remain the same. I have no doubt that Kenya is going to change, that we are going to deliver food security, universal healthcare, and affordable housing," Ruto said.

Sakaja also took the opportunity to propose the construction of a sports stadium on the 32-acre Jacaranda grounds, which he believes would stimulate the local economy.

He suggested that the cost of building the facility would be manageable, referencing the relatively low cost of the Dandora Stadium, which was built for Sh270 million.

"A stadium does not cost much. In Dandora, we spent only Sh270 million, and here you can do a bigger one because you have the land. We can also build a school. I know you can do it," Sakaja said.

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, who was also present at the church service, reiterated the call for patience and support for the president.

"I want to tell the President that it's not that Kenyans are chasing you after two years. You will be chased, you will be greeted, but Kenyans have faith in you to change their lives. Only a tree that bears fruit is stoned," Ichung’wah said.

President Ruto also reiterated his commitment to the education sector, revealing that his administration has set aside Sh1 billion for the construction of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) classrooms in Nairobi County.

"We are currently building 16,000 new grade 9 classes. My child is also studying under the CBC system. Unlike many politicians who send their children to study under international curricula, I chose otherwise. As president, I represent Kenyans, and my child should experience the same education as other Kenyan children," he said.

In addition to his remarks, Ruto made a donation of Sh5 million towards the construction of the Father’s House at Soweto Catholic Church, as well as Sh300,000 to support the purchase of children’s uniforms at the church.