Shollei Calls for Patience with Government
“Let us give the government of the day the opportunity to try and roll out the development that they had promised Kenyans. History will judge them,”
Deputy Speaker of National Government Gladys Shollei.Photo/Gladys Shollei.
By Robert Mutasi
Gladys Boss Shollei, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, has stirred a storm in the country with her statement to the people.
Shollei, while speaking at a public event, asked Kenyans to give it more time to the current government that promised a lot during the electioneering period.
The statement, which comes amidst growing criticism from different quarters over the pace of government initiatives, has shifted the spotlight to the development agenda of the administration.
“Let us give the government of the day the opportunity to try and roll out the development that they had promised Kenyans. History will judge them,” Shollei remarked.
Her message poignantly acknowledged patience and trust in the government to deliver on its mandate.
While Shollei expressed her confidence in the current administration for the future, she gave Kenyans a soft reminder that governance and development were matters of not only time but also of hard work.
Shollei’s comments reflect the ongoing public scrutiny the government faces, particularly on pledges regarding economic recovery, infrastructure projects, and social reforms.
The regime of William Ruto, which took over after the 2022 general elections, entered with ambitious development goals of setting up what is called the “Bottom-Up Economic Model” that aimed at uplifting the economically marginalized.
On the contrary, some blame its wheeling, saying this has been sluggish and some sectors are experiencing financial squeezes while citizens are being made to bear a high cost of living.
Other initiatives from the government, such as the Hustler Fund and agricultural subsidies, have been launched either well behind schedule or underfunded to achieve their expressed purpose effectively.
Besides this, the sustained global economic squeeze-in the form of inflation and high commodity prices-has lowered Kenya’s economic outlook, further weakening the ability of the government to achieve its development agenda.
The call for patience by Shollei may be an attempt at mitigating political tensions that have risen due to a section of Kenyans who feel the country requires more immediate solutions to economic challenges such as unemployment and the high cost of living.
Shollei’s statement comes amid increased infrastructure projects that the government has been unveiling of late, including roads, energy solutions, and housing schemes under the Affordable Housing Program.
The efforts are part of the broader government agenda to make life better and, consequently, create jobs for millions of Kenyans.
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen if the government actually will achieve its ambitious targets.
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