Poghisio: Ruto missed moment to admit failures
By Kiprono Keileb, August 8, 2025Former West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio has criticised President William Ruto for failing to use a recent public address to acknowledge his shortcomings in office, saying it was a missed opportunity for honest self-assessment.
Speaking during a political talk show aired by K24 TV on Friday, August 8, 2025, Poghisio said leaders rarely admit they are performing poorly, but doing so can strengthen their political standing.
“Nobody wants to say they are the worst or bad. The president had a good opportunity to say that,” Poghisio stated.
He argued that in Kenya, political campaigns do not stop after an election, noting that the president has remained on the campaign trail since assuming office.
“Remember, this is a country where people don’t stop politics from the day of the election. The president has been on the campaign trail all through,” he said.
According to Poghisio, this continued political activity is linked to the president’s bid for a second term, and it makes moments of public reflection even more critical.
“He is campaigning and is still selling himself for the second term, and so he would be welcome to say something about himself and his self-assessment. It’s good for his politics,” Poghisio added.
Poghisio’s comments come amid heightened political debate over the government’s performance halfway through its term, with critics and supporters alike dissecting the administration’s achievements and failures.
His remarks highlight a growing expectation among some political observers that leaders should embrace self-criticism as part of strengthening democratic accountability.
While the president has often defended his record, Poghisio’s view suggests that public acknowledgement of weaknesses could resonate positively with citizens and project an image of transparency ahead of the next election.
The former legislator, a onetime Senate Majority Leader, has been a prominent voice on political strategy and governance, consistently urging leaders to focus on building public trust instead of advancing narrow partisan agendas.
Poghisio’s call for self-reflection in leadership adds to the ongoing national conversation on performance and accountability, particularly as the political temperature rises in anticipation of the 2027 polls.
For now, the question remains whether the president will heed such calls and openly assess his record, a move Poghisio believes could be a bold political advantage rather than a weakness.