Karua rebukes Ruto’s vision talk, says Kenya needs rights and rule of law
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has criticised President William Ruto’s remarks on vision and discipline, saying what Kenya needs most is respect for rights and the rule of law.
In a statement shared on her X account on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Karua accused the President of misleading Kenyans by preaching discipline while his administration violates the very principles it should uphold.
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Karua accused the President of double-speak, saying he cannot continue to lecture Kenyans about discipline while his administration is associated with plunder, extrajudicial killings, and the intimidation of citizens. According to her, a government that disregards rights and the rule of law cannot credibly promise prosperity or national progress.
“@WilliamsRuto discipline means adherence to the rule of law, it means respecting people’s rights, not violating them. A regime that plunders, kills and terrorises its people is unlikely to lead the nation to prosperity,” Karua said.
Her statement was prompted by Ruto’s address during the National Youth Service (NYS) recruits pass-out parade in Gilgil, where he lauded Japan as an example of what discipline and ambition can achieve. The President pointed to Japan’s order, infrastructure, and prosperity as a vision Kenya should aspire to replicate.
“Every time I travel abroad, as I recently did in Japan, I am struck by what vision, discipline and high ambition can achieve. I see their order, infrastructure, prosperity, and I ask, why not Kenya?” Ruto said.
Ruto’s visit to Japan
The Head of State left Nairobi on Monday, August 18, 2025, for Yokohama to attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development, also known as TICAD 9.
According to State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the trip was aimed at strengthening Kenya’s partnership with Japan, which has grown to more than Ksh600 billion. Kenya is the largest recipient of Japanese aid in Africa.
“The visit is expected to consolidate Kenya–Japan relations by expanding opportunities in trade, investment and development cooperation,” the spokesperson said.
Areas of cooperation under discussion included agriculture, forestry, climate change, irrigation and reforestation. The two countries also agreed to explore expanding educational exchanges in science, technology and innovation to develop skilled talent.
While meeting Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday, August 20, President Ruto called on Tokyo to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers that limit Kenyan products from accessing the Japanese market. He stressed that agricultural exports such as avocados and tea should be given greater access.
“Held a meeting with Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ahead of the opening of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development, Yokohama City. Expressed the need for Japan to deal with tariff and non-tariff barriers so that Kenyan agricultural produce, including avocados and tea, can get more access to the Japanese market,” Ruto said.
The President also acknowledged the long-standing friendship between Kenya and Japan, which spans six decades. He noted that bilateral trade grew by 33 per cent in 2024 but remained largely in favour of Japan.
“Kenya and Japan have a strong and cordial partnership that goes back 60 years. Our trade has grown exponentially in that period, with trade growing by 33 per cent in 2024. However, the trade relationship is heavily in favour of Japan,” Ruto said.
He further expressed gratitude for Japan’s support in renewable energy and infrastructure development and invited Japanese investors to explore more opportunities in Kenya’s economy.
“Thanked Japan for support in renewable energy and infrastructure development in many parts of our country. Also discussed how Japan can tap into the many opportunities Kenya offers for the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples,” Ruto noted.
