VIHIGA, Kenya — President William Ruto issued a firm challenge to Kenya’s leaders and citizens to reject what he termed as mediocrity, urging a unified commitment to transforming the nation into a First-World country. The Head of State emphasized that Kenya must not remain comfortable with its current classification as a developing nation.
The President delivered his remarks at the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) – Kenya 100 Years Anniversary Celebrations, held at Nyang’ori High School Grounds in Vihiga County. During his address, President Ruto squarely placed the responsibility for the country’s existing challenges on the leadership, insisting that the time for decisive action and higher standards has arrived.
The President declared: “We must change this country. We cannot continue to talk without acting. Kenya is not supposed to be a Third World country.”
He was explicit in placing the blame for Kenya’s slow pace of progress and underdevelopment on the political elite, not the populace: “Sisi kama viongozi ndio tumeangusha taifa letu la Kenya. We are squarely responsible for where Kenya is today — a Third World country when others have moved ahead. We keep talking, but we don’t act.”
President Ruto urged leaders to embrace heightened accountability and raise the overall bar of governance, asserting that Kenya is destined for the league of developed nations. He affirmed: “We are playing in the wrong league. We were not made to be a Third World country. We are a First-World country and must attain it in our lifetime.”
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While highlighting the progress achieved during the first three years of his administration across sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, housing, and the cost of living, the President conceded that significant work remains ahead. He stated: “We have reduced the cost of living, hired more teachers, and improved healthcare and housing, but that is only the first phase. We still have a long way to go to truly transform Kenya.”
The President also stressed the necessity of building robust, modern health systems, drawing a distinction between spiritual healing and practical governance. He noted: “Yesu aliwaponya watu bila kujenga hospitali. Lakini kwa sababu sisi sio Yesu, lazima tujenge hospitali na tuweke madawa. I want to assure Kenyans that healthcare remains a top priority.”
In closing, President Ruto reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to driving Kenya toward industrial and social prosperity, vowing that his government would continue to implement the necessary reforms and investments. The President pledged: “Liwe liwalo, hii Kenya lazima tuibadilishe. We cannot continue as before. We must act and make Kenya what it was meant to be – a great and prosperous nation.”
