Kenyan President Ruto slammed by opposition over soaring cost of living

At the burial of Senator Richard Onyonka’s mother in Kisii County, opposition figures denounced President William Ruto’s government for a deteriorating economy. EALA MP Winnie Odinga warned that “the economy is in bad shape,” citing soaring fuel prices and Kenya’s Ksh10 trillion debt, while pointing to joblessness, business closures and rising fertilizer costs for farmers.

Jubilee Party’s Fred Matiang’i blamed Ruto for broken promises, heavy taxation and repeated fuel price hikes, saying “people are tired of lies and cannot bear it any longer.” Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka added that “the time for change is now” as Kenyans grapple with high food and transport prices. Opposition leaders, including Martha Karua, Edwin Sifuna and others, called for a unified presidential candidate for the 2027 election, urging the government to prioritize people‑centred policies over political manoeuvring.