Susan Kihikia Defends Ruto, Wonders What Kenyans Really Want
Key takeaways
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- Nakuru County Governor Susan Kihika has turned to social media to defend President William Ruto against criticism of his record in office.
- Kenyans have decried numerous unfulfilled promises by the president including creating more jobs, putting an end to illegal abductions and killings, as well as lowering the cost of living.
- The issues have persisted as the president struggles to stabilize Kenya’s economy and political environment.
- Hon. Kihika, a member of the ruling Kenya Kwanza Coalition, has stepped up to defend the president, criticizing Kenyans for being inconsiderate.
- Governor Kihika stated that Kenyans have denied the president the chance to secure additional loans, collect taxes, and pursue Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for development.
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Susan Kihika: “Am sitting here wondering what Kenyans really want”
In an epic rant on social media, the first-time governor hit out at Kenyans for what she termed as baseless attacks against the president.
Kihika’s lengthy post touched on the current pressing issues in the country including high taxation which have attracted strong resistance from the public.
“Ok good people, am sitting here wondering what Kenyans really want? You don’t want the President to borrow any more money (I get it and prefer he doesn’t too) but when we have willing investors for PPP then you are all up in arms? Then you also don’t want him to raise money internally – Finance Bill!” Wrote Susan Kihika.
High taxation concerns in particular led to intense country-wide protests in June and July that caused the withdrawal of the punitive Finance Bill 2024.
Conducted under the #RejectFinanceBill2024 online hashtag, the protests attracted global attention as Kenyans marched in the streets to stop the bill.
Attempts to introduce amendments were quickly dismissed as Kenyans pushed for the rejection of the Finance Bill in totality.
Among the contentious issues in the bill was the increase of import-related taxes which was expected the raise common consumer products in the market.
The rejection of the 2024 Finance Bill and subsequent declaration of the 2023 Finance Bill as unconstitutional almost grounded government operations to a halt.
Fortunately for the government, the Supreme Court approved the 2023 Bill on Tuesday evening after a series of petitions.
Susan Kihika urges Kenyans to support PPP partnerships to deliver development projects
Governor Kihika called on Kenyans to support the president’s Public Private Partnerships (PPP) initiatives to complete expensive but necessary infrastructural projects.
Giving an example of her county of Nakuru, the governor said that her people want the dualling of the Rironi – Mau Summit Road, the completion of Itaare Dam, and Lanet Airport, among other projects.
According to the governor, national projects like the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) expansion can also benefit from PPP arrangements.
“Airports like JFK ($9.5B Terminal 1 & $4.2B Terminal 6), Heathrow (£14B expansion), and Istanbul ($12B new airport) have thrived under Public-Private Partnerships. As we face debt limits and as local resource collection mechanisms face challenges, it’s time to embrace solutions such as PPPs for Kenya’s infrastructure growth,” said the governor in a tweet.
Also read: JKIA at a Standstill as Workers Protest Against Adani Group Takeover
Kihika’s support of PPP follows the overwhelming rejection of Adani Group, an Indian company that has been selected by Ruto’s government for PPP arrangements.
Adani has been approved to help expand and manage the JKIA as well as Kenya’s energy transmission system, against the wishes of the Kenyan public.
This move by the government has received harsh criticism from Kenyans who think it compromises national security by inviting foreign interference.
Hon. Susan Kihika, however, describes the concerns raised by Kenyans as nothing more than negativity. “And oh yeah we have become extremely negative as a people. Very cynical and dare I say almost unpatriotic,” wrote Kihika in her closing statement.
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