Inside six key issues Kenya Kwanza is grappling with

The Kenya Kwanza administration is facing at least six challenges including delayed development projects, growing revolt over delayed promises, and education sector crises.

With schools reopening for the 2025 academic year and universities resuming sessions, students in institutions of higher learning face uncertain future over funding.

The High Court last year declared unconstitutional the New Universities Funding Model introduced by Kenya Kwanza to reportedly ensure equity in access to university education.

Students in universities have threatened to go on strike when universities resume on January 15 over a lack of clarity on their education funding.

There are also concerns over rising cases of abductions, delayed disbursement of funds to county governments, and popularity threats.

The National Government is yet to release the counties' equitable share of the revenue for December 2024, leaving devolved units in dire need of money to pay staff.

The government says it would pay the money this month, meaning staff have to find ways of surviving awaiting their pay.

However, pro-government troops are putting on a brave face saying the Kenya Kwanza’s programmes are on course with most of the projects lined up for completion in 2025.

Belgut MP Nelson Koech, who chairs the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Foreign Relations, says that despite criticism and fears over delayed promise, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“This is the year that most of the pet projects started by the president will be completed including affordable houses that will be handed over to beneficiaries,’’ Koech said.

President William Ruto is scheduled to lead the handover of affordable houses later this month with the government showcasing the successful completion to woo more investors.

Last year, President Ruto chided critics of his development projects saying they will be shocked this January when the handover of affordable housing will be done.

The government which romped to power on the platform of an ambitious economic revolution plan through a bottom-up approach, has found itself walking a tightrope 27 months later.

Through what was seen as a revolutionary Bottom-UP Economic Transformation Agenda, President Ruto romped to power in 2022 after narrowly defeating his then main opponent Raila Odinga of Azimio.

However, subsequent demonstrations by Raila’s Azimio coalition in 2023 and the massive Gen Z protests, could have bogged down the Kenya Kwanza agenda due to revenue shortfalls.

Political analyst Alexander Nyamboga said the government’s signature projects ran into headwinds due to a lack of funds and rushed implementation that failed to on-board most Kenyans.

“What we are seeing now is that there is some stability politically speaking that is aiding good progress in government plans,’’ Nyamboga said.

“The government is likely to ramp up efforts to steady all projects in 2025 because by mid-2026 campaigns for the 2027 elections will gather pace.’’

With the clock ticking to the 2027 general election – with possibly President William Ruto eyeing re-election-most of his pet projects that could define his legacy are being caught up with time.

There are concerns that most affordable houses are behind schedule amid claims of a low uptake with Kenya Kwanza’s universal health coverage rollout facing challenges.

The transition from NHIF to the Social Health Authority (SHA) is facing teething challenges that have triggered public uproar.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was at the Kenya National Hospital on Wednesday to assess the progress in the implementation of SHA.

Lifting the lid on the SHA bottlenecks, Kindiki said the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2023, was to blame for the financial constraints.

“Even with the shortfall, we will go out of our way to continuously adjust the budget to ensure primary healthcare is not left out,’’ he said.

The delayed promises have triggered disillusionment with some of the government’s hitherto support bases including the Mt Kenya region and his own Rift Valley backyard.

The removal from office of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appeared to have caused unintended damage to Kenya Kwanza in the Mt Kenya region.

Most government-allied politicians and officials have encountered resistance in the region with the public rejecting speeches sent by the president during funerals.

Analysts argue that failure by the government to popularise its agenda and programs due to resistance is fuelling discontent and more fury in the Mt Kenya region.

“The biggest challenge is that pro-government MPs risk losing in 2027 because of the Gachagua factor and that is not helping Kenya Kwanza,’’ said Kiambu political analyst Peter Mwangi.

However, President Ruto could have changed strategy and is now banking on his partnership with Raila to consolidate his support ahead of the 2027 polls.

Ruto has also warmed up to former President Uhuru Kenyatta even as he eyes Raila’s bases for the 2027 reelection matrix.

Amid growing discontent, President Ruto will on Thursday begin a three-day tour of his Rift Valley heartland where he will launch and commission some development projects.

President Ruto will camp in the North Rift in what is seen to be part of his multi-pronged strategy to pacify the region and fend off threats of revolt ahead of the 2027 polls.

This will be President Ruto’s first development tour of the North Rift since taking over office, having already toured Mount Kenya, Coast, Nyanza, Western, and parts of the South Rift.