OPINION: How Gov't can rebuild the public’s broken trust

The Kenyan government is working to steer the nation through a period of economic strain and public uncertainty with a renewed focus on stability and trust. Having shouldered the weight of global debt pressures and an expired IMF programme, it is now seeking new financial support to safeguard essential services and sustain growth.

Alongside these economic efforts, officials are tackling the spread of misinformation and pursuing justice in high-profile cases; steps aimed at showing citizens that transparency and accountability remain central to their leadership.

Economic reforms aim to steady the nation’s finances

Kenya’s previous $3.6 billion IMF programme, which expired earlier this year, left East Africa’s largest economy in need of fresh support amid high debt levels. President William Ruto’s administration is now seeking a new deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that includes more favourable lending terms to refinance critical development projects and social services.

An IMF staff visit to Nairobi in October took stock of Kenya’s macroeconomic situation and discussed reforms to enhance fiscal policy credibility and ensure the sustainability of public finances and debt.

Kenyan officials have expressed interest in a follow-up programme with the Fund, and many analysts agree that securing a new loan package is vital to anchor Kenya’s external debt repayments.

The urgency is clear. Public debt stands at nearly 70% of gross domestic product, well above recommended thresholds, squeezing the government’s ability to invest in infrastructure and welfare.

In recent months, the Ruto government has moved to restructure existing obligations and seek relief. It converted $3.5 billion in Chinese loans into yuan to reduce interest costs and extend maturities.

Officials have even resorted to borrowing on domestic markets to pay off maturing debts, hoping to ring-fence funding for key sectors such as healthcare. “We need the IMF,” Finance Minister John Mbadi said this month, stressing that Kenya’s economic gains remain fragile and that more concessional financing from partners like the IMF and World Bank is essential.

By pursuing a prudent fiscal path and seeking support on better terms, the government aims to revive growth without imposing the painful tax hikes that sparked unrest in the past.

These economic measures are intended to show citizens and investors alike that Kenya is committed to responsible stewardship of its finances – a crucial step in rebuilding trust.

Beyond economics, the Kenyan government faces a war of narratives and a test of justice that both deeply affect public confidence. Top officials have warned of an escalating threat of misinformation and disinformation, which they said during a public engagement in Nyandarua County has been spread by opposition figures seeking to undermine trust in government institutions.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano told the gathering that Kenyans are being targeted with coordinated propaganda designed to discredit government programmes.

They warned that unchecked falsehoods circulating on social media and elsewhere “severely erode the national fabric,” emphasising the need for citizens to discern truth from rumour. They also used the forum to highlight ongoing development initiatives as evidence of progress on the ground.

President Ruto’s administration is keen to draw a line between legitimate public-interest information and cynical falsehoods. Officials insist that countering fake news is not about stifling dissent, but about correcting the record for the public good.

At the Nyandarua County forum, government representatives reiterated that development projects – from affordable housing to rural electrification – speak for themselves, and that the public deserves accurate information rather than politically motivated distortions.

The message from authorities is clear: constructive criticism is welcome, but deliberate lies that incite fear or division will be challenged in order to protect the public interest and unity.

Meanwhile, the government is also working to demonstrate that justice and accountability are non-negotiable values in today’s Kenya. In June, a tragic incident put this commitment to the test when Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old blogger and government critic, died in police custody under suspicious circumstances.

The public outcry was immediate – protests erupted in Nairobi and other cities as Kenyans demanded answers in a case that evoked a painful history of police brutality. Rather than deny or stall, Ruto’s government moved to confront the issue directly. The Police Inspector General issued a public apology after an autopsy revealed Ojwang’s fatal injuries were caused by assault, contradicting the initial claim that he had taken his own life while in custody.

President Ruto acknowledged that the blogger died “at the hands of the police,” describing the case as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” and vowed to ensure justice was done.

True to that commitment, prosecutors approved murder charges against six suspects, including three police officers, for their alleged role in the killing. One of the accused is the commander of the station where Ojwang was detained. The Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed that the officers would be brought before the court, marking an unprecedented move in a country where members of the security forces have historically acted with impunity.

Then Interior CS Kithure Kindiki stated that “everyone who was involved in the crime is brought to justice expeditiously and that no interference from any quarter” will be tolerated. By prosecuting even serving officers, the government seeks to send a clear message that abuse of authority will not be protected and that the rule of law applies to all.

A renewed social contract

From the economic front to the information space and the halls of justice, Kenya’s leadership is striving to regain public trust through concrete action. Renegotiating debt relief and IMF support is intended to show fiscal responsibility and ensure the state can deliver development.

Pushing back against fake news – while pointing to real achievements – is meant to foster an informed, united citizenry. And delivering justice in a high-profile abuse case demonstrates that the government is willing to police itself and uphold the rights of its people.

These measures, if sustained, may gradually mend the social contract between Kenyans and their government. The task is immense, but by acknowledging past shortcomings and taking strides to address them, Ruto’s administration is charting a course it hopes will lead to more credible and trusted governance in Kenya.

[The writer is a freelance journalist and data analyst, combining storytelling with data-driven insights.]