Nyamira senator Omogeni: Kenya Kwanza policies driving millions into poverty
By Kiprono Keileb, December 4, 2025Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni has accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of worsening the country’s economic hardships, saying millions of Kenyans are now struggling to meet even the most basic needs.
Speaking during a political talk show aired by a local media station on Thursday, December 4, 2025, Omogeni painted a grim picture of the country’s living standards, arguing that the government’s policies have pushed many households into severe poverty.
In one of his most direct criticisms of the Ruto administration, the senator said the economic situation is far from what the government portrays.
“About 1.5 million Kenyans have moved further into abject poverty even as we praise the William Ruto administration. 17 million Kenyans are not sure if they will even have a meal tonight,” Omogeni said.
He went on to say that despite government talk of economic recovery, the private sector is collapsing at a worrying pace.
“Over 400,000 business start-ups close every year, on average. One Kenyan has 12 dependents behind them. Our taxation regime is the worst, the most punitive within our economic bloc,” he added.
Omogeni said farmers, especially in Western Kenya, are among the worst hit.
“The earnings from tea farmers in West of Kenya are the worst we have seen in the last 10 years,” he said
Okongo insisted that real stories of suffering are being buried under political praise and public relations messaging. He urged leaders to be honest with the President instead of shielding him from the truth.
“If we want to assist the president, tell him the challenges that people are facing with SHA,” he stated
Turning to governance and democracy, Omogeni challenged Ruto’s frequent promise of transforming Kenya into a first-world country, saying the conduct of elections must first reflect global democratic standards.
“If President Ruto wants to take us to a first-world country, we want to see an election like what we see in New York. If we are serious that we want to take Kenya into a first-world country, then we need to see more discipline from our leaders, more civil conduct from our leadership,” he said.