Youth Advocate Godfrey Lutomia has defended President William Ruto’s administration, saying the pressure and high expectations from the public are justified and necessary to keep leaders accountable.

Speaking during an interview with Radio Generation, Lutomia said the government is aware of these demands and is working under pressure to meet its promises without excuses.

“If there is anything great that is happening in this government, it is knowing that you’re working under pressure. That’s why every time you’ve heard His Excellency the President say, ‘I intend to keep all my promises,’ it’s because you have no excuse not to fulfill those promises,” he said on Wednesday.

Lutomia dismissed claims that Kenyans are being too harsh on the government, arguing that citizens are only demanding what is rightfully theirs.

“People have a right. This is their government. They have a right to expect what is constitutionally theirs. They have a right to demand what a rightful government needs to offer them.”

The Youth Advocate said the current administration is different from past ones where top officials could evade responsibility without consequence.

“We are in a situation where you can’t disappear in an office, my friend. We will ask you questions. f you are a CS and something can’t be done, then exit. Let someone else who can do it take over,” Lutomia said.

According to him, the government’s work is on track and regular internal evaluations show no major deviation from its delivery goals.

“We have sat as a team and introspected. We are not seeing anything that is off-track,” Lutomia said.

But he also acknowledged that implementation comes with legal and structural challenges that must be respected.

The advocate cited the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) programme, saying it faced over 70 separate legal cases across different courts, which slowed progress.

“Our AG and the team were running across the country trying to consolidate the cases,” Lutomia said.

On frustrations around gas prices, Lutomia said some Kenyans had unrealistic expectations of immediate change once Ruto was sworn in.

“Some Kenyans are saying that when Ruto puts the Bible down, the next time you walk into a gas station you should pick your mtungi at a lower price,” he said.

He explained that the reforms are ongoing and focus on controlling cartels and ensuring fair pricing through proper government processes.

“We intend to manage cartels, people who, at one time or another, took advantage of the populace because there was no government intervention. We’re on course to getting gas,” he noted.

Lutomia stressed that change takes time and cannot be rushed through shortcuts.

“There’s no magic. There’s no abracadabra in this game,” he said. “What we need to appreciate as Kenyans is that you cannot ignore the process.”

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has consistently expressed confidence in the progress made by the Kenya Kwanza administration.

During a government retreat held last month in Kajiado, Kindiki said the administration had made headway in stabilising the economy despite global shocks such as the Russia-Ukraine war and high U.S. interest rates.

He pointed to lower inflation, reduced fuel prices, and a stronger currency as signs that the economy was now on more stable ground.

“Even as we contextualise where we are, let us remember where we came from and the heavy lifting that has gone in between,” he said.

Kindiki also urged government leaders to stay focused and energetic in the remaining stretch of the term to fully deliver on their promises.