Ruto: I was not elected to be popular
President William Ruto has said that his focus as Head of State is not on winning popularity contests but on implementing tough decisions necessary to transform the country.
Speaking on Friday, August 29, 2025, during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Meru County at State House, Nairobi, Ruto said that he was elected to transform the lives of Kenyans and not to be popular.
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The president further dismissed critics who have accused him of making unpopular policy choices, insisting that leadership is about responsibility and not applause.
“Wengine wanajaribu kuniambia, unajua sasa wewe umeamua hii maneno ni ngumu, hii si popular ile si popular, mimi siku chaguliwa kuwa popular, nilichaguliwa kubadilisha Kenya and whatever it takes to change this country, that is my responsibility,” Ruto said.
He went on to say that some people advised him to wait until his second term to implement tough measures, but he insisted that Kenya was already late, noting that while Singapore had developed into a first-world country, Kenya was still in the third world.
“Mwengina ananiambia ungengojea ufanye second term mimi nawaambia, Kenya tayari imechelewa, Singapore ilikuwa na sisi wako first world na bado tuko third world,” he added.
Transformation
In addition, the Head of State reiterated his administration’s commitment to driving Kenya’s transformation through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), while emphasising that the journey toward national progress cannot be achieved by one person alone but through collective effort and consistent action.
He says the government’s economic model has already begun bearing fruit.
According to Ruto, Kenya’s transformation demands unity of purpose since it cannot be delivered in an instant, nor by one person alone.
“Kenya’s transformation demands unity of purpose and the power of collective action. It cannot be delivered in an instant, nor by one person alone, but through our shared resolve, sustained commitment, and steadfast consistency,” Ruto said.
On his part, the Head of State revealed that the bottom-up agenda has already stabilised the economy, creating job opportunities and pushing forward key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure.
“On our part, we stand firm on the pledges of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, a tested framework that has already stabilised our economy, expanded opportunities for jobs, and advanced agriculture, healthcare, housing, and modern markets,” Ruto noted.
Additionally, his efforts by the government are now securing inclusive growth that leaves no Kenyan behind while further highlighting plans to transform Meru town into a city as well as secure sustainable markets.
“We deliberated on key infrastructure projects: upgrading roads, constructing modern markets, transforming Meru Town into a city, and securing sustainable markets for miraa, among others,” Ruto said.
