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A section of hunger-stricken elderly persons and PWDs from Theta Ward in Juja, Kiambu County have called on President William Ruto’s administration to address the enormous economic challenges that saw them suffer in the year 2024.

They decried that despite assurances that 2024 would be economically friendly to Kenyans, they have struggled with high prices for basic food commodities at a time when opulence among the political class has been at its highest.

Led by Kiingati Wa Njuguna, the elderly persons also cited numerous corruption cases, highheadedness among the leaders and the introduction of oppressive policies that continued to kill the manufacturing industry thereby resulting in joblessness as among issues that had seen their suffering double.

 Addressing journalists after a luncheon and receiving food rations from a well-wisher, the locals urged the government to address the cost of living that has been seeing most of them survive on a one-time meal a day due to low purchasing power.

“This year has been the worst of all. We have experienced all manner of challenges including the inability to meet our basic needs, our children have been loitering at home unaware of their tomorrow, industries relocating to other countries, corruption has been on the highest, out of desperation, those who criticize the government are abducted and unfriendly policies are being forced down our throats. Unless things change in 2025, we are on our own,” Alice Wairimu, an elderly woman from Theta village told journalists.

They called on President Ruto and his administration to get their act together lest Kenyans move into 2025 still despondent and hopeless.

The locals at the same time challenged Ruto to promptly bring the abduction of young government critics to an end saying that their character change is attributable to desperation as most of them have been roaming without jobs despite their high levels of education.