The government has intensified efforts to rally political leaders behind President William Ruto's administration even as criticism mounts over the pace of economic recovery, the rising cost of living and governance.
Speaking at a leaders' meeting, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo said leaders had resolved to put aside political differences and unite behind the President's development agenda.
"We have agreed in one accord to work together, first to support His Excellency the President, Dr. William Ruto, because of the transformation that is undertaking in this country," Mr Omollo said.
His remarks come at a time when President Ruto's allies have stepped up campaigns to consolidate political support ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that the administration needs stability to implement its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (Beta).
Mr Omollo said the unity of leaders would ensure government programmes are implemented more efficiently and that wananchi benefit from investments in infrastructure, affordable housing, universal healthcare, agriculture, electricity connectivity and social protection.
He argued that the administration had laid the foundation for long-term economic growth through reforms aimed at increasing food production, expanding housing, improving digital services and attracting investment.
The Principal Secretary urged leaders to avoid divisive politics, saying development should take precedence over political competition.
"We must work together for the benefit of our people because development cannot thrive where leaders are constantly fighting," he said.
However, President Ruto's critics maintain that many Kenyans are yet to feel the benefits of the government's reforms nearly four years into his administration.
Opposition leaders and a section of civil society groups argue that households continue to grapple with a high cost of living despite government assurances that inflation has eased. They have also questioned the burden created by new taxes and statutory deductions introduced over the past three years, including the Housing Levy and increased contributions under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), saying they have reduced workers' disposable income.
Critics have further accused the administration of over-taxation, alleging that frequent tax measures have made it harder for businesses to expand and create jobs. They also cite rising public debt, unemployment among young people and delays in implementing some government promises as evidence that the economic transformation promised during the 2022 campaign has not been fully realised.
The opposition has also sustained criticism over governance issues, including allegations of wasteful public spending, police conduct during anti-government demonstrations and what it describes as shrinking democratic space. Government officials have consistently rejected the claims, insisting that security agencies operate within the law and that fiscal reforms are necessary to stabilise the economy.
The Kenya Kwanza administration, on its part, says many of its reforms require time before their full impact is felt. It points to improved agricultural production following fertiliser subsidies, increased electricity connections, expansion of affordable housing projects, reforms in the health sector and renewed investor confidence as indicators that the economy is on a recovery path.
President Ruto has repeatedly defended his policies, arguing that difficult decisions were necessary to reverse years of economic mismanagement and place the country on a sustainable growth trajectory.
Mr Omollo echoed the President's position, saying leaders should focus on supporting programmes that improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans rather than engaging in political confrontation.
He said the unity demonstrated by leaders backing the President would strengthen implementation of government programmes and accelerate development across the country.
"Our focus is to support the President because of the transformation that is taking place in this country," he said. "History will judge us by what we delivered to the people, not by the politics we engaged in."
