President William Ruto has pleaded for a chance to “transform” the country, saying his critics were wrong in their harsh judgment of his policies.

Ruto, who spoke at the Talanta Bell Ringing Ceremony at Nairobi Securities Exchange on Wednesday, cut a subdued figure as he sought to ease himself off the mounting pressure by a significant portion of Kenya’s youth, who want him to quit office.

“The cynics may say I am lying. The naysayers may even say I am mad. But what if they are wrong? And they are. What if I am an agent of destiny for the transformation of our nation, whose promise has been delayed for far too long?” Ruto posed.

The Head of State called on Kenyans to pause and reflect on the direction the country is headed, asking the public to judge him fairly when the time comes.

“Give me a chance and judge me fairly when the time comes,” he pleaded

He also lashed out at his critics, questioning the credibility of some of his political rivals, accusing them of hypocrisy and dishonesty.

Without naming names, he appeared to target former chief justice David Maraga, who recently termed Kenya a failed state.

“I listen a lot to what people say about the present and the future of our country. I listen to one gentleman who retired the other day after working for 40-50 years, and he wants to be president. And I listen to him say Kenya is a failed state,” he said.

Ruto said it was ironic for someone who had worked in government for 40 to 50 years to now claim that the country has collapsed.

“And I ask myself, for 40 years, you have been working in a failed state? So, you want to be the president of a failed state? You want us to entrust you with the leadership of a country that you don’t believe in, to a people you don’t believe in?” 

In a recent interview, Maraga expressed deep concern about the country’s political and economic future. The former Chief Justice warned the country of a crisis marked by economic and political decline that could push the country to a failed state unless urgent actions were taken.

“When you don’t have respect for human rights, how do we call such a state? Those who oppose you kidnap them and kill some of them. That is not democracy. This is a government that has lost it. Look at what is happening in the country. We are getting into a failed state,” he said.

While defending his track record, Ruto appealed to Kenyans to give him time to lead the country without being unfairly judged.

Ruto admitted that there were challenges, but he remained committed to addressing the challenges and building a better Kenya. He said that his administration was not gambling with the country’s future but described his leadership as focused, disciplined and determined to lay a strong foundation for future generations

“This is neither a gamble nor an experiment. It is a disciplined, determined, focused, and deliberate renewal of our nation’s foundation,” he said.

Responding to ‘Ruto Must Go’ critics, the President solicited the opposition to give Kenyans a reason why he should leave the office. Because he said that opposition doesn’t agree with the principles of the Kenya Kwanza administration, Ruto asked them to provide a counterproposal.

“I listen to some group of friends who say Ruto Must Go, and for sure, just like those who were there before me, my time will come and I will go. But respectfully, let me ask you, what are your reasons for this Ruto Must Go? I am sure it is not because of my name. But maybe you don’t agree with the ideologies, the policies and the plan we have for our nation. But please will you kindly favour us with a counterplan?” he added.