Okoa Uchumi CSO Members. Photo By Virginia Siebela 
By Virginia Siebela
Civil society organizations under the Okoa Uchumi campaign have strongly criticized President William Ruto’s recent public apology, dismissing it as vague, non-committal, and lacking genuine accountability.
Speaking during a press conference in Machakos, Diana Gichengo, Executive Director of The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA), expressed deep concern over the government’s failure to take responsibility for ongoing human rights violations.
Gichengo emphasized that the nation is still reeling from the tragic killing of more than 60 young protestors, while at least 89 others remain unaccounted for following abductions. She also highlighted rising threats and surveillance targeting journalists and government critics.
The civil society coalition accused President Ruto of glossing over serious issues including the mistreatment of Kenyans in neighboring countries, widespread corruption, and a blatant disregard for national sovereignty and human rights.
According to the group, the president’s statement—“to our children, if there is any misstep, we apologize”—lacks specificity and fails to acknowledge the state’s direct role in the violations.
Abraham Rugo, Executive Director of Bajeti Hub, echoed these sentiments, calling for justice for the slain youth and urging swift action against rogue police officers responsible for the killings during peaceful protests.
He criticized the lack of accountability, saying no meaningful steps have been taken to investigate or punish those responsible.
In addition to justice and accountability, the organizations are demanding stronger regional protection for human rights defenders, full transparency and audits of Kenya’s public debt—including the identification and cancellation of illegitimate or odious loans in accordance with the December 2024 High Court ruling—and thorough criminal investigations into corruption in key sectors such as digital infrastructure, housing, health, and land.
They also called for the restoration of social budgets that support basic services and uphold citizen welfare.
The 2025 national budget also came under fire, with civil society actors describing it as deeply flawed and out of touch with the needs of ordinary citizens. By cutting funding to the education sector, they argue, the government has undermined equitable development, making it impossible to describe the proposed budget as a true People’s Budget.
The Okoa Uchumi campaign insists that without clear commitments to justice, transparency, and structural reform, President Ruto’s apology remains nothing more than political rhetoric.
