Kenyans’ frustration with President William Ruto’s leadership is not misplaced, according to Justin Wamae, a Champion for Economic Democracy, who believes public expectations were shaped by Ruto’s long involvement in government and politics.

Speaking during an interview with Radio Generation, Wamae said the president should not be shielded from accountability, as he had positioned himself as an experienced leader capable of delivering on promises once in office.

Wamae said Kenyans did not expect miracles, but trusted that Ruto’s familiarity with government systems would translate to better delivery.

“When the president tells us that five years’ experience have been in politics, then that experience is nothing,” she said on Wednesday.

“Maybe it was easier for him to promise because he knows how to deliver. But now if you’re telling us we are expecting too much, then clearly next time we are having an election, nobody should bring up the issue of experience,” she added.

The former presidential running mate candidate questioned the current narrative, suggesting that the public is being unfair in demanding results from the president, arguing that experience should not be used as an excuse to delay accountability.

Wamae said what Kenyans want are real solutions, whether they come from experience or bold new ideas.

"What we should be having is a conversation about your solutions to the problems that you are seeing,” she noted.

Recently, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration to be fair to President Ruto.

Kindiki said the president was given a five-year term to deliver on his campaign promises and should not be assessed prematurely.

“I want to ask our critics, be fair to President William Ruto. All the things he promised will be achieved. Just give him time. He has a five-year term. You can’t assess his performance for a five-year term in two years. That’s unfair,” Kindiki said.

The Deputy President added that they do not mind public criticism, noting that it reminds them of their responsibility to the people.

“Those questions will come at the right time, but we also don’t mind you reminding us what we said because you are helping us achieve our targets,” said the DP.

He also expressed confidence that the government will deliver results that surpass public expectations.

“I just wonder what these characters will say once we deliver… we will account for each day in office. The other day, I saw some characters appearing perplexed when sugarcane farmers in Mumias were given bonuses,” he said.

“They wondered where the money came from and even speculated that the money was coming from the exchequer. And I can assure you we will confound our opponents. We will outperform ourselves,” Kindiki added.

However, Wamae maintained that the people’s high expectations are justified. He said initiatives like the State-backed Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA) have left many confused, with the government failing to explain properly how the system works.

“That is opportunity for you to streamline operations, that is opportunity for you to give us the right communication or the right information,” she said.

Wamae noted that while SHA is a new system and challenges are expected, leaders must provide clear solutions instead of relying on individuals to make calls or pull strings for access to basic services.

She also criticised the idea of voting for leaders based on emotional or personal gestures rather than capability.

“It also goes to tell Kenyans that you don’t elect someone because ali kuja mazishi… use their brain,” Wamae said.

According to her, younger Kenyans, who make up the majority are more educated and informed, and are demanding better governance.

“We have people who go to university, and they are saying, so that is where the expectation comes from,” she said.

Wamae added that it is a good sign when the public raises the bar for its leaders. “Expectations is a good thing, and it’s also a concern. It’s a going concern or to show that we are moving, or rather, we are growing and we are progressing, instead of going back,” she added.

She concluded by saying that leaders, whether in Parliament or the executive, are paid to use their minds to bring solutions, and Kenyans have a right to expect results.