A day after President William Ruto delivered his State of the Nation Address to the bicameral Parliament, Kenya Moja MPs have criticized the speech, claiming it was more of a pre-election manifesto than a report on national progress.
Speaking in Kisii, leaders from the ODM-aligned political outfit dismissed Ruto’s address as misleading. They accused the Head of State of presenting false achievements, particularly in education, health, and infrastructure.
Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said, “Mimi nilikataa kuskiza uongo ya Ruto sababu ningechemka nitolewe for six months. Unawezaje kuja kuzungumzia maneno ya elimu kutransform Kenya iwe kama Singapore na hata issues affecting schools and universities huwezi shughulikia? Private university iko na madeni Ksh.60billion na unakuja kutuambia maneno ya Singapore…huyo ni mtu anaelewa kitu anafanya kweli?”
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi added, “A President is using a State of the Nation address to launch a manifesto for his re-election…those people were hired.” Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba also criticized the claims of increased tea exports, saying she was shocked by the statistics shared by the President.
Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi accused Ruto of misleading Kenyans on employment abroad and higher education funding, adding that the government’s handling of these sectors has been disappointing.
The Kenya Moja lawmakers further indicated that ODM’s participation in the broad-based government would be under review, suggesting the party may withdraw by March 2026. Sifuna noted, “Kuna wale wanasema wako broad-based…wale wa ODM nawaambia wasifikirie wao ni wajanja sana…who has told you that we can’t have a presidential candidate?”
Amisi hinted at a potential “state of emergency” within ODM in 2026, aiming to recalibrate the party’s role in the Ruto-led government.
The remarks are expected to spark debates within ODM, a party already facing internal questions about its future direction.
