'No plan, no vision, no agenda," Ruto takes jab at Kalonzo during Machakos tour

Speaking in Machakos County during the sixth edition of the Nyota Funds disbursement, the president also sustained his criticism of the opposition, saying leaders who previously served in government did little to alleviate the suffering of Kenyans.

The event, held at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, brought together about 5,900 youth drawn from Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni counties, a region considered a political stronghold of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Addressing the gathering, President Ruto said the unemployment crisis affecting young people today was the result of poor leadership in past administrations. He accused some of the leaders who served during that period, and whom he claimed are now eyeing the presidency in 2027, of lacking vision and concrete plans.

“The challenge we have had is the challenge of leadership. Mtu tu anataka kupigiwa makofi, morning and evening, anaimbiwa na wamama, and there is nothing they are doing. He has no plan, he has no idea, he has no agenda, he has no programme, he has no vision,” Ruto said.

The remarks appeared to be directed at Kalonzo Musyoka, who hails from the region and has been a vocal critic of the Nyota programme. Kalonzo has previously dismissed the initiative as a diversionary tactic by President Ruto aimed at regaining lost popularity after the general election.

President Ruto defended the programme, insisting that young people should not be viewed merely as voting tools but as citizens seeking meaningful economic empowerment.

“I hear some leaders saying, oh vijana, we want you to come and help us remove other people, we want you to come and vote for us. Young people of Kenya are not voting machines. They also want to know how they are going to change their status,” Ruto said.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also weighed in, warning leaders against opposing youth empowerment initiatives.

“Any person opposing the empowerment of the young people of Kenya is an enemy of our country, because this country requires that every citizen be empowered and enabled to realise their potential as human beings and as citizens of Kenya,” Kindiki said.

Both leaders reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming Kenya’s economy, with Kindiki saying the bottom-up economic agenda promised during the 2022 campaigns was already being implemented.

“Ile bottom up ya 2022 ndiyo hii. Ile pesa mfukoni ya 2022 ndiyo hii. Na hii ndiyo bottom up economic transformation agenda ambayo itapeleka Kenya mbele mpaka ikuwe first world economy,” Kindiki said.

President Ruto echoed the sentiment, insisting that his administration was serious about its ambition to turn Kenya into a first-world economy.

“When I talk about moving Kenya to first world, I am determined and I am serious, and it is because we have a plan to do it. Mtaiona. Just when you are here, this country is going to change,” Ruto said.