President William Ruto has likened Kenya’s transformation
agenda to childbirth, saying meaningful change requires sacrifice and
perseverance despite the challenges involved.
The President said although he had been told childbirth
is a difficult and painful process, it ultimately brings forth new life,
drawing a parallel with his administration’s reform agenda.
He said just as humanity depends on women enduring
childbirth, Kenya’s progress will depend on the country’s willingness to endure
difficult reforms.
“I am told it is not a very easy exercise to give
birth to a child. I am told it is not an easy exercise. It’s a real
struggle. But that is how the world moves on. If women were so scared not to
give birth, we would not be here. Somebody must work on this. However difficult
it is, this is how we are going to give birth to our own transformation as a
nation. That is my mission,” he said.
The President’s remarks come as his administration continues
to defend a series of economic and governance reforms, arguing that while some
of the measures may be difficult in the short term, they are necessary to
achieve long-term national transformation.
On Monday, Ruto commissioned the Sh3.8 billion Ngong Road–Naivasha Road flyover, saying the project will ease congestion, improve mobility and boost economic productivity in Nairobi.
Ruto said traffic congestion has for years imposed high economic and social costs on the city by delaying workers, increasing the cost of doing business and reducing productivity.
“For too long, congestion has imposed a high cost on our economy and on the daily lives of our people. It has delayed workers on their way to earning a living, increased the cost of doing business, kept traders away from customers and taken precious time away from families,” Ruto said.
He described congestion as not merely a transport challenge but an economic one, noting that every hour spent in traffic translates into lost productivity, delayed income and missed opportunities.
The President said the flyover is a strategic investment aimed at improving the efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of the capital city.
According to Ruto, the project removes one of Nairobi’s long-standing traffic bottlenecks by separating traffic flows and enhancing safety for motorists, pedestrians and public transport users.
“This is what modern infrastructure should do: reduce travel time, lower the cost of transport, improve road safety and make cities work better for everyone,” he said.
Ruto thanked the government and people of Spain for supporting the project, describing the partnership as one founded on mutual respect and a shared commitment to Kenya’s development.
