President William Ruto has defiantly rejected political threats suggesting he could be a one-term leader, insisting his administration remains committed to delivering its transformation agenda for the country.
Speaking on Saturday at State House, Nairobi, during the Nairobi County Empowerment Programme, which drew over 15,000 youth, Ruto said he would not be swayed by “empty political rhetoric” from his rivals.
“We will not succumb to the blackmail of one term. We know where we are going as a nation,” he declared. “We are transforming our healthcare so that even ordinary citizens can go to the hospital under our Social Health Authority (SHA) programme. We will never bow to threats because we know the direction we are taking.”
The President outlined his administration’s focus areas, including modernizing agriculture, improving education, building an inclusive economy, and strengthening healthcare systems. He accused his political opponents of lacking concrete policy proposals, adding that the government’s broad-based approach was the most effective path forward.
In a major boost for youth empowerment, Ruto announced that starting next month, young people across the country will have access to Sh5 billion from the World Bank for business ventures. The initiative will see 70 entrepreneurs in each ward mainly young people — receive Sh50,000 to start or expand their businesses, with the programme targeting 100,000 beneficiaries nationwide.
“This is about empowering our young people to be self-reliant and to contribute meaningfully to our economy,” Ruto said.
During the event, the government distributed various equipment to the youth to help them launch income-generating activities. The items included motorbikes, car wash machines, and portable concrete mixers.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, alongside other leaders from the city, attended the event and pledged his support for the empowerment initiatives.
Ruto’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions, with speculation about his political future growing among allies and critics alike. However, his message on Saturday was clear — his administration is focused on policy delivery rather than political threats.
“We are committed to building a better Kenya,” he concluded. “And no amount of intimidation will derail us.”
