In Nairobi, Kenya, on September 15, Opposition Leader Raila Odinga strongly criticized President William Ruto's government, describing its first year in power as disastrous.

Odinga, speaking at the Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka command center in a media address, asserted that the government's attempts to lower the cost of living through rhetoric had failed miserably, evident in the rising prices of essential commodities.

"As we mark the end of the initial year of Kenya Kwanza, it is evident that no amount of eloquence or extravagant assertions can conceal the harsh reality of a tremendously difficult year we've experienced," he stated.

The Azimio La Umoja Leader cautioned that the second year of Kenya Kwanza would be equally calamitous, emphasizing that a positive economic direction cannot be sustained through propaganda.

He highlighted the surge in fuel and electricity prices, foreseeing an increase in inflation, and argued that the fertilizer subsidy program wouldn't address the core issue of high living costs.

"No quantity of fertilizer can alleviate the food cost as long as fuel costs remain uncontrolled. Diesel is a significant expense in farming. Even if a bag of fertilizer is provided to a citizen, if she cannot afford to plow her land, the problem remains unsolved," Odinga emphasized.

He also underscored that the devaluation of the Kenyan currency by a quarter against the US dollar during Ruto's administration was a betrayal to the voters. Odinga pointed out that the once-strong Kenyan currency, highly esteemed in the East African region, was on a downward trajectory, having lost 20 percent of its value against the Tanzanian and Ugandan shilling.

"The devaluation of the shilling comes at a high cost, including increased expenses on imports such as food. Hence, the steep decline in the shilling's value represents a significant betrayal of the Kenyan people by the Kenya Kwanza regime," stated the ODM leader.