KAJIADO — Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has told government officials that Kenyans expect more than plans and speeches. They want results.
Speaking at the opening of the Third National Executive Retreat in Kajiado County, Kindiki urged Cabinet Secretaries and top civil servants to shift their focus from policy formulation to actual service delivery. The retreat, held at the KCB Leadership Centre, comes midway into the Kenya Kwanza administration’s five-year term.
“This government was elected on the promise of an inclusive economy,” Kindiki said. “The public scrutiny we face is justified. We must now show what has been done, not just what we intended to do.”
Kindiki acknowledged the intense pressure the administration is under. He tied it directly to campaign pledges made during the 2022 general election, which created high expectations among citizens across all income levels.
“The public has a right to question us,” he stated. “We made a bold commitment to change the direction of this country’s economy. That commitment demands public accountability.”
The Deputy President explained that the retreat’s purpose was to assess not only the planning done over the last two years, but also the real-world impact of projects and policies. He insisted that tangible development, not paperwork, must now define the administration’s work.
“At this point, it is about brick and mortar,” Kindiki said. “It’s about whether citizens can feel the difference in their lives.”
Kindiki also called for deeper engagement with the public and other national stakeholders. He pointed to key areas under the government’s transformation agenda agriculture, health care, micro and small enterprises, the digital economy, and the creative sector as the test cases for Kenya Kwanza’s delivery track record.
He emphasized that communication must improve if the government wants to maintain public trust. “We are reviewing how effectively we’ve carried the public along in this journey,” Kindiki said. “We must explain what we are doing, why we are doing it, and where we are headed.”
President William Ruto, addressing the same retreat, told members of his Executive team that delivering results is not optional. He urged officials to focus on fulfilling the Kenya Kwanza manifesto and warned against distractions linked to political cycles.
“We are not here to campaign for 2027,” Ruto said. “We are here to reflect on where we came from, where we are, and where we must go. Failure is not an option.”
Ruto defended his administration’s choices, saying they have made difficult but necessary decisions to stabilize the economy. He claimed early signs of success were visible and credited the government’s “people-first” approach for progress seen so far.
Still, the President admitted more needed to be done.
“We have taken a tough road,” Ruto said. “But the foundation has been laid. Now, we must move faster and ensure Kenyans feel the impact in their daily lives.”
The Executive Retreat, which brings together top state officials, is expected to set new timelines and sharpen government focus for the remainder of the term. Both Ruto and Kindiki made it clear that the second half of their administration will be judged not by intentions, but by outcomes.
