Kongamano La Mapinduzi (KLM) has sharply criticized President William Ruto’s 2024 State of the Nation Address, accusing the government of being out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Kenyans.
The group pointed to rising living costs, inadequate governance reforms, and stalled progress in key sectors like education and agriculture as evidence of failed leadership.
During the briefing, they highlighted the challenges Kenyans face under the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Despite government claims of reduced inflation and currency stability, many households are still burdened by high food prices, unaffordable housing, and heavy taxation from the contentious 2024 Finance Bill.
The group also cited scandals like the fake fertilizer controversy as examples of corruption that hurt ordinary citizens.
To address economic challenges, KLM proposed repealing punitive taxes, introducing progressive taxation, and ensuring public funds are directed to critical sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Accountability and Democratic
DeficitsKLM criticized the government’s record on democracy, pointing to police brutality during protests, extrajudicial disappearances, and delayed legislation like the Conflict of Interest Bill. They argued that these issues erode public trust and stifle civic engagement.
They called for reforms in the security sector and enforcement of transparency in public spending.
Challenges in Education and Youth Employment
They also criticized the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and higher education reforms, stating they remain inaccessible to marginalized communities.
On youth unemployment, KLM dismissed the government’s reliance on labor migration and the Hustler Fund as inadequate, advocating instead for locally focused solutions like public works programs, technical training, and support for youth entrepreneurs.
Agriculture and Food Security Concerns
While President Ruto highlighted gains in agriculture, KLM stated that smallholder farmers remain marginalized due to high input costs and exploitative markets.
They called for subsidies for small farmers, stronger cooperatives, and investments in climate-resilient agriculture.
KLM’s Next Steps
KLM announced plans to ratify resolutions during its 2024 Congress in Nairobi, focusing on holding the government accountable and advancing a people-centered agenda.
Their initiatives, including the #BungeMustGo campaign, aim to mobilize citizens for transformative leadership.The group concluded with a call for unity among Kenyans to demand equitable and just governance.
