Muturi slams Ruto’s motorbike giveaways as PR stunt
By Kiprono Keileb, August 11, 2025The former speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi, has criticised President William Ruto’s recent distribution of motorbikes to youth as a superficial public relations exercise that fails to address the country’s deeper challenges.
Speaking on a local radio station on Monday, August 11, 2025, Muturi expressed frustration with what he described as matters of public relations, which he said distract from genuine innovation and long-term solutions for Kenya’s youth.
“Anapenda mambo ya PR, mara tunaenda kufanya hii na hii, mara anapea watu pikipiki,” Muturi said, referring to the motorbike giveaways as short-term gestures aimed at creating publicity rather than meaningful impact.
He went on to criticise the government’s approach to youth employment, pointing out that instead of focusing on innovation, research, and industrialisation, the administration often reverts to handing out physical items without addressing systemic issues.
“A country that reacts to the problems of the youths of today instead of telling us about innovations, research, industrialisation, ati anapeana pikipiki na kusema ni plan yake,” Muturi added, highlighting the gap between political messaging and concrete development strategies.
Muturi also aimed at the controversial Affordable Housing program, which the government often cites as a key driver of youth employment. He accused the project of being more about enriching insiders than creating real jobs.
“Kile ukimuuliza, watu wameajiriwa katika affordable housing, tunajua affordable housing ni mambo yake ya kutemgeza hela kujusu mambo ya stima wakiwa na Devki, hii mambo ya SHA ni mambo yake,” Muturi said, implying that the program is riddled with corruption and inflated tenders.
His remarks come amid growing public scrutiny of government spending and ongoing empowerment initiatives, with many questioning whether giveaways and flagship projects are truly effective in addressing unemployment.
The motorbike distribution, part of the government’s wider empowerment strategy, has been both praised for providing immediate income-generating tools and criticised as a political tactic to woo voters ahead of elections.
Muturi’s blunt assessment adds to the chorus of voices urging the government to shift focus from symbolic handouts to sustainable programs that prioritise innovation, skills development, and industrial growth.
As Kenya grapples with youth unemployment rates hovering around 22 per cent, experts say that comprehensive policies emphasising technology, education, and entrepreneurship are essential for meaningful change.
Muturi’s warning serves as a reminder that political showmanship alone cannot solve Kenya’s complex economic challenges and that the government must move beyond superficial PR stunts to deliver real transformation for the youth.