Omtatah tears into Ruto’s State of the Nation address: debt trap disguised as bright future
By Luke Oluoch, November 26, 2025Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has criticised Ruto for promising Kenyans a debt trap disguised as a promise of a brighter future during his last State of the Nation address to parliament.
Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Omtatah said the moment went down as another well-performed display of Ruto’s public speaking prowess.
PR exercise
“Ruto’s speech to me was simply a PR exercise. It was a session for him to demonstrate his public speaking skills. He speaks well in public, which he did well. It was, however, devoid of substance and a proper blueprint and ignored the real economy,” he stated.
According to the senator, the president’s rhetoric glossed over real issues. Omtatah stated that with a burgeoning public debt of Ksh11 trillion, cases of youth and employment meant that many of the concepts outlined by the president would remain mere promises.
“The president painted a visionary picture of transformation through massive investment in transport and financing mechanisms. He also quoted great leaders stating that it was a non-negotiable step towards economic empowerment and independence. Unfortunately, his rhetoric glossed over important issues. The priorities he presented will make the situation worse, other than redressing them,” he said.
Where’s the blueprint?
He urged caution against being blinded by the promises, stressing that wishful thinking alone cannot transform the country.
“We need not be blinded by the president’s grand promise. The grand visions must subject themselves to a blueprint. Where is the blueprint in that speech? The speech is largely a case of wishful thinking. It ignores the present and does not address the socio-economic and environmental costs. A debt trap is being given to us in the promise of a bright future,” he stated.
On the contrary, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei termed the speech as a proper foundation for Ruto’s vision of economic take-off. According to Sigei, Ruto demonstrated a willingness to take the leading role in development, which needed support from Kenyans.
“The President asks Kenyans to support his vision to reach the next level. It is this president that can do it. It only requires us to do our role as members of this house,” Sigei stated.