Below are the things President Ruto has done right.
- Inflation Rate
Kenya’s inflation rate has shown a significant decline (and stability) in the past-2 years, reaching 2.8% in November 2024, the lowest level in at least 17 years.
Historically, Kenya’s inflation has fluctuated, with a high of 46% in 1993 and an average of 9.29% from 1960 to 2024.
The 2024 rate of 4.7% (annual average) (lowest in 17 years) reflects a moderation in price pressures, driven by easing fuel, food, and utility costs
- Tourism Recovery
In 2024, Kenya’s tourism sector achieved record-breaking growth, welcoming 2,394,376 international visitors, a 15% increase from 2023, and generating KES 452.20 billion in earnings, up 20%.
This success could be attributed to multiple strategic initiatives, including the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, enhanced digital marketing, improved air connectivity, and diversified tourism offerings like cruise tourism (up 163.5%) and MICE tourism (27% of arrivals).
- Agricultural Production
The country has recorded an improved agricultural Production in the past two years, with Maize Production increasing by 8%, Rice Production by 30%, Sugarcane Production by 38% amongst others
While favourable weather in the past two years plays a significant roles in the improved agricultural Production especially the good performance of the 2023 and 2024 Long Rains, access to subsidised farm inputs especially seeds and fertilizers can’t be wished away
The digitisation of the farming households in the country is a major milestone in enhancing planning and driving evidence based decision making
- Improved Balance of Trade
The total value of exports from the country has increased by nearly 27%, from 873B KES to 1.1T KES largely driven by re-exports (2022 to 2024)
The growth in the total exports, which outpaced the increase in imports (9% increase in imports), led to an improvement in the balance of trade deficit. That is, the balance of trade shrunk by 2%
Similarly, the cover ratio (exports/imports), has slightly increased to 41% up from 35%, meaning a lowered trade balance
- Others
Teachers: Employment of over 60,000 teachers in under 2 years, marking the largest recruitment in Kenya’s history is such a period of time. Actually, as of 2022, Kenya had 349,000 Teachers, a number that rose to 411,000 in 2 years
CHPs: In addition, there is a significant increase in Trained Community Health Promoters, increasing by 20% in under 2 years
eCitizen: The number of government services on the e-Citizen platform increased from 320 in September 2022 to 4,000, enhancing access to services via mobile devices hence accelerating access to services
Passports: The waiting time for passports processing has significantly reduced in the past year compared with prolonged processes witnessed earlier. Currently, its taking an average of 14 days (assuming all documentation are in order), compared to over 50 days back in late 2010s
