Lies, Imaginary Stories: Kalonzo Tells Kenyans What To Expect In State Of The Nation Address

Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka on Wednesday, November 20 told Kenyans to expect the same old stories from President William Ruto during his State of The Nation Address on Thursday, November 21 at 2.30 pm.

The 2024 Address is expected to be given to the joint Houses of the National Assembly and the Senate, according to the notice issued by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula.

In a statement by The People's Loyal Opposition, the former Vice President expressed eagerness to listen to how the Head of State's speech handlers will craft Ruto's address to mask the truth that Kenyans are expressing no confidence in the Kenya Kwanza regime.

"It will be an address that will have kept the president's speechwriters up for many nights since even the most casual observer of the country's social, economic, and civic scenes will attest to the sorry state of affairs in all three areas.

President William Ruto speaking during the State of the Nation address in Parliament in 2023. /PCS

"It will definitely be interesting to hear and read how they try to hide the truth that Kenyans are tired of the self-serving and rigid administration that listens to no one, respects no one, and keeps none of its numerous promises," stated Kalonzo in part.

Kalonzo further predicted that Kenyans will, during the annual address, be forced to listen to half-truths and outright lies as well as new rafts of promises about new projects "that the Kenya Kwanza dictatorship claims will begin shortly."

"They will be informed of billions of shillings "set aside from the empty coffers" for these fictitious initiatives. They will hear new falsehoods about the manifestly failing Social Health Authority (SHA)/Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) programme, which was designed to replace the now-defunct 58-year-old National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). More lies will be spread concerning agricultural and food production, the so-called affordable housing scheme, and, of course, the non-performing Hustler Fund," he added.

"Kenyans will also hear imaginary success stories about the economy, the national debt, and support for devolution. The failing competency-based curriculum (CBC) for schools will also be praised."

Overall, Kalonzo believed that as usual, President Ruto would use the address to paint a rosy picture of a country that is at odds with reality, observing past remarks and addresses by the Ruto administration that would give one the impression that it is feasible for a country to function exceptionally well, to be quite wealthy, without the people doing well at all, or to experience even the most basic of the extreme prosperity that the government discusses.

He termed this an outcome of the government's disregard for the people and the truth, adding that the regime "feels that Kenyans are so gullible that they are unable to detect falsehoods."

Kalonzo moved to paint the true situation of the Kenyan nation and found many frailties in a few sectors which depict a state that is teetering on the brink of collapse. For starters, he believed that democracy in Kenya is at its lowest with actions of the Executive, including poaching from rival parties and capturing both houses of Parliament.

"This is not the democracy that Kenyans fought for. If the people's representatives are caged, there will be no transparency or accountability. If this tendency continues to be under a one-man rule by decree. We cannot accept this. Those pressing President Ruto to think this way are deceiving him, as are those dreaming of a term extension," he argued.

He also lamented the stalemate between the Senate and the National Assembly over the allocation of funds between national and county governments, even though he believed that the solution lay within the Constitution of Kenya.

Kalonzo also accused the Kenya Kwanza government of taxing Kenyans very heavily to fund corruption and the luxurious and ostentatious lifestyles of a few individuals, a matter he urged that it be halted.

"This regime has become dishonourable by ignoring the people's plight. As Kenyans suffer under the weight of the world's highest taxes without service, Ruto leads one of the most luxurious and ostentatious governments, whose members continue to flaunt their questionable wealth even after the recent Gen-Z protests," added the statement.

"The People's Loyal Opposition strongly believes that it is immoral to tax Kenyans to the extent that this government is doing, without showing anything useful for the proceeds of this taxation. We are keenly monitoring the situation, particularly the dubious contracts taken up by the Kenya Kwanza with shady offshore firms," he went on, specifying Adani's deals with the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other airports as well as their involvement in the health and energy sectors.