Editor's Review

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei's reaction to the speech: He was not keen on issues bedeviling Kenyans. I'd give him 2/10

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday held his second last State of the Nation Address under his leadership.

During the address, President Kenyatta focused on his achievements and the future of the economy.

He issued updates and directives on re-opening of schools, issuance of title deeds, Huduma Namba progress, why he considers the BBI important among other issues.

Ruto’s allies claim the speech was underwhelming

The address has elicited massive reactions with a section of leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto claiming that Uhuru’s speech did not meet Kenyans’ expectations.


Reacting to Uhuru’s speech, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei noted that the President said nothing new.

 “The President’s speech was the usual rhetoric. I think his intention was to address the BBI issue. He was not keen on issues bedeviling Kenyans. I'd give him 2/10. Those writing his speech should avoid being repetitive,” he said during an interview on Citizen TV on Friday.

In a tweet on Thursday, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen criticized the speech stating that it was a repetition of the President’s past addresses.

“In future I hope the President’s speech writers will write short, fresh and captivating speech and avoid repeating speeches made by the President along the year. Leave the details to the submitted reports and give us something that captures our imaginations and inspires the country,” he tweeted.

On his part, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot noted that: “I covet a time when a Kenya president will address verifiable and tangible stuff in a SONA. Jobs created, trade deficit, actual GDP growth, health access index etc. Not these usual snake oil rhetoric of cohesion, Negative ethnicity, boltless bridges and other short stories.”