Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has launched a fresh attack on President William Ruto's administration, accusing the Head of State of being disconnected from the daily struggles facing millions of Kenyans amid growing economic hardship and public frustration over the rising cost of living.
In a statement shared on social media, Sifuna said President Ruto appeared detached from the realities confronting ordinary citizens across the country.
"Ruto is so disconnected from the realities on the ground and does not fully grasp the difficulties Kenyans are experiencing," Sifuna stated.
His remarks come against the backdrop of increasing public concern over fuel prices, taxation, food costs, unemployment, electricity bills and the overall cost of living. Recent demonstrations and public transport disruptions linked to fuel price increases have further intensified debate over the government's economic policies.
Sifuna's comments add to a growing chorus of criticism from opposition leaders who argue that the Kenya Kwanza administration has failed to ease the economic burden on households despite campaign promises to uplift ordinary citizens.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been among the most vocal critics of the government in recent weeks. Speaking during a visit to London, Gachagua blamed President Ruto directly for soaring fuel prices, arguing that ordinary Kenyans were being forced to shoulder an unbearable economic burden. He claimed that rising fuel and electricity costs had pushed many families to the edge and accused the government of mismanaging the economy.
Gachagua has also accused the administration of overtaxing workers and ignoring the plight of struggling Kenyans. During a workers' welfare forum in Nairobi, he argued that government deductions on salaries and new levies were eroding the purchasing power of citizens already facing difficult economic conditions.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has similarly expressed concern about the economic direction of the country. In recent public appearances, Kalonzo warned that many families are struggling to meet basic needs and keep their children in school due to financial hardship. He has repeatedly criticised what he describes as punitive economic policies and excessive taxation, arguing that the government has failed to adequately address the concerns of ordinary wananchi.
Other opposition figures have also faulted the administration over what they describe as harsh economic measures contained in government policies and proposed tax reforms. During a recent gathering in Murang’a County, opposition leaders accused the government of ignoring the suffering of citizens while continuing to introduce policies that increase the cost of living.
The criticism comes at a politically sensitive period as public dissatisfaction over economic conditions continues to dominate national conversations. Recent protests linked to record fuel prices left several people dead and dozens injured, highlighting the growing tension between citizens and the government over economic issues.
However, President Ruto has defended his administration's economic decisions, maintaining that many of the measures being implemented are necessary to stabilize the economy and protect the country from external shocks. The President recently attributed rising fuel prices to global market disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East and said the government had spent billions of shillings on fuel stabilization measures to cushion consumers. He also announced plans aimed at reducing diesel prices in upcoming pricing cycles.
The government has consistently argued that it inherited significant economic challenges, including high debt obligations, and that difficult reforms are necessary to restore long-term economic stability. President Ruto has previously pointed to declining inflation and a strengthening shilling as evidence that his economic strategy is beginning to bear fruit.
Despite those assurances, criticism from both opposition leaders and sections of the public continues to mount. Political analysts say the economy is increasingly becoming the defining issue ahead of the next electoral cycle, with opposition leaders positioning themselves as defenders of wananchi struggling with everyday expenses.
As political temperatures continue to rise, the debate over taxation, fuel prices, public spending and economic reforms is expected to remain at the center of Kenya's political discourse, setting the stage for intensified confrontations between the government and its critics in the months ahead.
