President William Ruto on Tuesday, August 4, called for a nationwide grassroots-driven dialogue to shape a proposed National Development Charter, urging local leaders to take the lead in mobilising citizens across the country.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, where he hosted more than 10,000 village elders, the President said the conversation must extend beyond formal settings and directly engage ordinary Kenyans at the community level.
Ruto emphasised that the initiative aims to anchor development priorities on public participation, noting that the process should be “people-driven, citizen-centred and future-focused.”
He challenged leaders at the grassroots to ensure the discussions reach every corner of the country.
“This conversation cannot remain in conference halls or Government offices. It must reach every county, every ward, every village and every household,” he said.
The President linked the proposed charter to the implementation of Article 43 of the Constitution, which guarantees social and economic rights.
He outlined key focus areas including universal healthcare, access to adequate housing and sanitation, food security, clean water, social protection, and education for all children.
In a significant policy shift aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, Ruto announced that village elders will begin receiving a monthly stipend of KSh3,000 starting immediately.
The move formalises their role within the National Government Administration system.
According to the President, 106,000 village elders across all 47 counties have already been integrated into the system, a step he said is intended to bring government services closer to citizens.
“We have onboarded 106,000 village elders… bringing the Government closer to the people,” he stated.
Ruto further revealed plans to enhance the welfare and operational capacity of the elders, including the provision of smartphones to support communication and administrative duties.
He also announced that the government is working towards covering their Social Health Authority premiums beginning January 2027.
To bolster security at the community level, the President said more Administration Police officers will be deployed to support village elders in their roles.
The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts by the government to decentralise service delivery and strengthen public participation in policy-making.
However, the implementation of the National Development Charter and the sustainability of the stipend programme are expected to draw scrutiny from stakeholders, particularly on funding and long-term impact.