As Kenya marked its 62nd Madaraka Day at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County, President William Ruto made an impassioned appeal to citizens to trust in the country’s transformation journey.
Speaking during the national celebration, the President urged Kenyans to remain patient and steadfast, emphasizing that meaningful change demands discipline, long-term planning, and collective effort.
“Our biggest problem has always been one of implementation and execution: The faith to believe in our plans for change; the courage to execute, and the patience and focus to get it done,” President Ruto said.
He was joined at the event by this year’s chief guest, Slovenia’s President Nataša Pirc Musar, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, several Cabinet Secretaries, MPs, Governors, and other dignitaries.
Kenya’s Economic Progress and Recovery
Highlighting the country’s economic performance since August 2022, President Ruto shared a string of positive developments. Kenya, he said, has achieved an average annual GDP growth rate of 5%, outperforming the global average of 3.3% and the regional rate of 3.8%. The International Monetary Fund recently estimated the country’s GDP at KSh17 trillion, officially making Kenya the largest economy in the region and the sixth-largest in Africa.
“We have weathered turbulent times, navigated serious challenges and, through courageous policy decisions pursued with resolve, we have not only stabilised our economy but also charted a clear course to long-term prosperity,” he said.
Ruto also pointed out a sharp drop in inflation, from 9.6% in October 2022 to just 3.8% in May 2025, well below the 5% target. This has offered significant relief to Kenyan households and businesses grappling with the high cost of living.
Another win, according to the President, is the appreciation of the Kenyan shilling, which has strengthened by nearly 20% against the US dollar, moving from KSh162 to KSh129. The Central Bank Rate has dropped from 13% to 10%, making borrowing more affordable for entrepreneurs and households. Additionally, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to $10 billion, extending import cover from 2.5 to 4 months.
Housing and Healthcare
On the housing front, the President reported strong progress under the Affordable Housing Programme. Since its launch in September 2022, 150,000 housing units are under construction, with 11,000 already completed. More than 250,000 jobs have been created in the process, directly benefiting youth and low-income earners.
President Ruto extended special appreciation to Kenyan workers for their contributions to the housing levy, stating that their efforts are helping provide dignity and security to families who may never have imagined owning a decent home.
In healthcare, the rollout of Taifa Care has transformed service delivery across the country. Since its launch in October 2024, over 23 million Kenyans have enrolled with the Social Health Authority (SHA). Within just eight months, SHA has settled claims worth KSh43 billion, benefiting 4.5 million Kenyans who have received treatment at various hospitals.
“Word is beginning to get out throughout the nation that ‘SHA is working’, by which citizens mean that the programme’s transition challenges and teething problems are now behind us, and Universal Healthcare Coverage is serving Kenyans and leaving nobody behind,” he said.
To accommodate the needs of informal sector workers, the government has introduced LIPA SHA POLE POLE, a flexible payment model allowing citizens to pay their health insurance contributions in instalments based on their income level. This ensures continuous coverage and financial relief for households.
“It ensures families maintain continuous health coverage without financial strain, while simultaneously promoting the sustainability of the health insurance fund,” the President explained.
Youth Empowerment
Ruto also announced the rollout of the National Youth Opportunity Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project in partnership with the World Bank. The KSh20 billion initiative is designed to equip over 800,000 youth aged 18 to 29, and up to 35 for persons with disabilities with employability skills, entrepreneurship training, and access to capital.
Through the Hustler Fund platform, over one million applicants have shown interest, with KSh5 billion already allocated to provide seed capital of KSh50,000 per beneficiary by August 2025.
Another key initiative targeting the youth is the nationwide Climate Worx programme. Starting this week, the programme will engage 110,000 young Kenyans across all 47 counties in environmental conservation and climate resilience work, beginning with informal settlements.
Investing in Agriculture, Blue Economy, and Infrastructure
The President also highlighted efforts to revamp Kenya’s agriculture sector. Fertiliser subsidies have increased food production by 50%, while reforms in the coffee and sugar industries have revived local processing, created jobs, and boosted farmer incomes.
This year’s Madaraka Day celebration placed a spotlight on the blue economy, with President Ruto affirming the government’s commitment to leveraging Kenya’s aquatic resources for economic growth and job creation. He said the government has completed seven modern fish landing sites on the Indian Ocean coast and three more on Lake Victoria. Five additional sites are under construction in coastal counties, with nine new landing sites planned across Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Migori, and Homa Bay, supported by a KSh1.5 billion budget.
The President also highlighted the development of the Liwatoni and Shimoni Fishing Ports, which will expand Kenya’s deep-sea fishing capacity to 24 vessels. He said this initiative will be key in fully unlocking the country’s marine potential.
A major highlight is the Kabonyo Fisheries and Aquaculture Service and Training Centre of Excellence, being built in Nyando, Kisumu County. To reduce reliance on wild fish stocks, the government is promoting cage fish farming in Lake Victoria, a method that enhances sustainable production and meets rising demand.
On infrastructure, President Ruto noted that the government has built 1,800 kilometers of new tarmac roads and maintained 134,800 kilometers in the last two and a half years surpassing its targets. These road projects have helped unlock markets, supported agriculture, and boosted rural development.
Looking ahead, Ruto confirmed that talks are ongoing to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Kisumu and eventually to Malaba. He also announced that construction of the Rironi-Mau Summit dual carriageway will begin in July 2025, with plans to extend the highway to Eldoret and Malaba.
A Call for Unity, Patience, and Faith in Kenya’s Future
While acknowledging Kenya’s achievements over the past six decades, the President reminded citizens that the journey is far from over. He called on Kenyans to ignore the naysayers and instead rally behind the country’s development agenda.
President Ruto praised Kenyans for their innovation and ambition, stating that if the nation remains committed to executing its plans, there is no limit to what it can accomplish.
Slovenia’s President Nataša Pirc Musar also addressed the gathering, calling for global unity, peaceful coexistence, and strong multilateral partnerships to confront shared challenges.
“Only such a united community will be capable of confronting the world’s most urgent challenges,” she said.
Deputy President Kindiki commended President Ruto’s leadership for promoting inclusivity and ensuring that resources are equitably distributed across the country.
Raila Odinga on his part used the occasion to advocate for reconciliation and peacebuilding among Kenyans. He also called for strengthened support for devolution to bring government services closer to the people.
