Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has praised President William Ruto for expanding democracy, civil liberties and social and economic rights during his four years in office.
Speaking at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret on Tuesday during the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations, Kindiki said Kenya had made significant progress in strengthening its democratic institutions and improving the lives of citizens since independence.
He challenged the country to build on the gains made over the past 63 years and pursue what he described as the final push towards economic empowerment and liberation.
“Today, Kenya has strong democratic credentials and enjoys significant civil liberties,” Kindiki said, reflecting on the country’s journey since gaining independence from Britain in 1963.
He said the country had established a sound governance framework while progressively expanding democratic freedoms and constitutional rights.
“The journey that remains, Your Excellency, is to build on the progress made over the last 63 years as you lead us in making a final push towards the economic empowerment and liberation of our country,” he told Ruto.
Kindiki credited the President’s administration with expanding access to healthcare and education, as well as introducing interventions aimed at improving agricultural productivity and household incomes.
He cited cheaper fertiliser, affordable seeds and reduced costs of artificial insemination services for dairy farmers as some of the measures intended to improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The Deputy President also pointed to progress in the coffee, tea and sugarcane sectors, alongside efforts to empower fishing communities and other people dependent on the Blue Economy.
He said the government had increased the number of Kenyans covered under the Social Health Authority, while also making progress in education and infrastructure development.
Kindiki described the past four years as defining for Kenya, urging the government to consolidate its achievements and ensure the next phase of development delivers lasting transformation.
He expressed confidence in the country’s future and thanked Ruto for giving him the opportunity to serve as Deputy President.
Kindiki said he and other members of the administration would continue working to support the President’s development agenda.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called for stronger African cooperation, drawing parallels between sporting competition and the continent’s pursuit of shared prosperity.
“Our athletes have run side by side… together they have shown the world what Africa can achieve. We race as rivals; we build as partners,” Abiy said.
He added that African freedom had been won through the determination of people who refused to surrender their dignity.
“Geography made us neighbours. History made us brothers. Our choices must make us partners in shared prosperity,” he said.
