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President William Ruto now says he has always wondered why the promises he makes take time to be achieved.

The Head of State made the confession while attending an interdenominational service at the Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on Sunday, November 5, 2023.

Referring to the summon of the day, President Ruto noted that he had learnt that promises require time and patience to be achieved.

“Nimepata mafunzo ya ajabu leo. (I have learnt an inspiring lesson today). I must confess. I have never seen it the way Bishop Mwaura has put it today. Whoever said life is a journey in learning said the truth because today I’ve learnt many things.

“Nimeelewa kumbe ahadi kutimia inahitaji subra. Nafikiria ata sisi kama viongozi tunatoa ahadi lakini hatujapangia vile inangojewa. Saa zingine ata mimi nahuliza mbona hii ahadi imechukua muda mrefu. Kumbe nakosa kuelewa kuna kungoja hapa kati kati. (I have learnt (in church) that promises require patience to be achieved. When we make promises as leaders, we forget that they will take time. I have always wondered why the promises I make take time to achieve but now I know),” President Ruto confessed.

President Ruto is on the Coast for a five-day development tour.

Ruto’s campaign promises

His remarks come at a time he is under pressure to deliver on his ambitious Kenya Kwanza administration campaign manifesto.

He had pledged to bring down the cost of living in his first 100 days in office if he won the presidency. A year later, the cost of living remains high due to increased taxes and new levies.

In June, the government doubled Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products from 8 to 16 per cent following approval by the National Assembly, where the Kenya Kwanza administration enjoys the majority.

The increment was part of the proposals contained in the Finance Bill 2023 that sought to raise additional revenue in taxes in the region of Ksh130 billion to finance the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Ksh3.6 trillion budget for the 2023/24 financial year.