protests, court cases and insults didn't shake his resolve

President William Ruto has defended his administration's major reforms, saying Kenya can only achieve meaningful transformation through firm and courageous leadership despite public criticism, protests and court battles.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, where he hosted AFC Leopards, Ruto said his government had remained steadfast in pursuing reforms because lasting change requires leaders who are willing to make difficult decisions.

He said Kenya has the potential to transform its economy just as other countries have done.

"Nchi yetu hii ya Kenya, wakati wetu sisi, in our generation, tunaweza kutoa nchi yetu mahali ilipo sasa, kabla hatujazeeka. We can do it," he said.

Ruto pointed to Norway's sovereign wealth fund as an example of what long-term planning can achieve. He said Norway began building the fund about 30 years ago, and it is now worth about 2.2 trillion dollars, making it the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world.

He also cited China, saying the country was poor three decades ago but has since undergone significant economic transformation.

"So, hii Kenya, inaweza kubadilika, na tutabadilisha, just take it from me, kwa mapenzi ya Mungu," he said.

The President acknowledged that implementing reforms over the past three years had not been easy.

"Kwa miaka mitatu, tumefanya mambo, lakini haijakua rahisi, watu wamenipiga, wakanifanyia maandamano, wakanitukana lakini mimi nimekaa ngumu kwa sababu hii nchi haiwezi badilikia bila ya mtu kukua mkakamavu," he said.

Ruto singled out the Affordable Housing Programme as one of the reforms that faced strong opposition. He recalled criticism over the Housing Levy, demonstrations against the programme and legal challenges seeking to stop its implementation.

He argued that the project is now delivering visible results, particularly in Nairobi and other parts of the country.

"Watu walikua wananipigia kelele sijui tusifanye housing, wakanifanyia maandamano, wakanipeleka kortini... leo nyinyi ni watu mnaishi Nairobi, inabadilika ama haibadiliki?" he posed.

He said the government is constructing 80,000 houses in Nairobi and expanding affordable housing projects across the country using funds collected through the Housing Levy.

According to the President, the programme is also supporting the construction of markets and hostels for young people as part of a broader plan to transform the country.

Ruto maintained that abandoning the housing programme because of public pressure would have denied Kenyans the gains being witnessed today.

Kama mimi ningekua mtu muoga, kupigiwa kelele, kufanyiwa maandamano, nipelekwe kortini, niwachane na mambo ya housing, tungekua na chochote cha kusheherekea leo?" he said.

He added that the government's health reforms are also aimed at ensuring healthcare becomes a right accessible to every Kenyan rather than a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.