Senator Okiya Omtatah used his time in the Senate to express deep concern over the direction the country is taking under President William Ruto’s leadership.
He argued that the president’s recent State of the Nation address was filled with attractive language and confident delivery, but lacked the depth, clarity, and practical plan needed to guide the country out of its current economic challenges.
Omtatah said the country is already struggling under a heavy public debt burden and rising unemployment, yet the president continues to make promises that do not match the reality Kenyans are living through.
While speaking in the Senate on November 26, 2025, Omtatah made it clear that although Ruto is known for his strong public speaking abilities, the address did little beyond showcasing those skills.
He described the speech as nothing more than a public relations show meant to impress Kenyans with eloquent language instead of offering a real pathway forward.
According to him, the president did not outline a concrete plan that tackles the challenges affecting ordinary citizens each day.
Omtatah added that the country’s public debt, now at Ksh11 trillion, has placed Kenya in a vulnerable position. With many young people lacking employment opportunities, he believes that the ambitious ideas mentioned in the speech will remain empty promises. He said the president attempted to paint a picture of transformation through major investments in infrastructure and financial tools, even quoting global leaders to support his message.
However, Omtatah argued that these promises do not address the actual struggles, and if anything, will worsen the current economic strain if not handled with realism and proper planning.
He questioned why the president would present such grand ideas without offering a clear blueprint on how they will be achieved. In his view, a country cannot rely on inspiring words alone.
He insisted that Kenyans deserve a detailed and workable plan that takes into account the real cost of such promises.
Omtatah warned that what is being sold as a hopeful future may in fact be another debt trap that will burden citizens even further.
The senator urged Kenyans to remain alert and avoid being carried away by attractive promises that lack supporting strategies.
He emphasised that the address failed to consider social, economic, and environmental realities, making it difficult to trust that the promises can be achieved without putting the country at even greater risk.
On the other hand, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei defended the president’s address and praised it as a strong foundation for Kenya’s economic take-off. Sigei said Ruto showed clear leadership and a commitment to development, arguing that the president needs support from Kenyans to move the country forward.
He insisted that the vision outlined in the speech is achievable if everyone plays their part, especially leaders in the Senate who have a responsibility to push national priorities in the right direction.
