Below is the summary of President Ruto’s speech during Madaraka Day Celebrations:
President Ruto’s Speech Summary during the celebrations of the 62nd Madaraka Day at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County.
Since August 2022, Kenya has recorded an average annual growth rate of 5%, outperforming the global average of 3.3% and the regional average of 3.8%.
The shilling appreciated by nearly 20% against the US dollar, from KSh 162 to KSh 129, making it one of the best-performing currencies in the world.
The Central Bank Rate has decreased from 13% to 10%, lowering the cost of borrowing and spurring private sector activity.
Additionally, foreign exchange reserves now stand at $10 billion, extending our import cover from 2.5 to 4 months.
The govt has handed over keys to the first 1,080 social housing units in the new Mukuru Estate, Nairobi & 110 affordable housing units at Boma Yangu, Homa Bay.
23 million Kenyans have so far registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA) with average of 50,000 new registrations daily.
Ministry of Health has introduced, LIPA SHA POLE POLE where The system is simple and accessible; citizens can dial *147# and follow the prompts to enrol and begin their contributions immediately.
Ministry of Education has successfully transitioned to a Competency-Based Education(CBE) from CBE
76,000 new teachers have been employed over a period of two years, and are on course to employ an additional 24,000 by January 2026.
TVET college enrolment is set to grow fourfold, from 500,000 in 2023 to 2 million by the end of this year.
Hustler Fund has supported over 25 million borrowers, disbursed KSh70 billion, and mobilised KSh4.5 billion in saving
Govt to Commence the nationwide rollout of Climate Worx, a bold aimed at engaging over 110,000 young people across all 47 counties
Gov’t has partnered with the World Bank to roll out the KSh20 billion National Youth Opportunity Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project; targets at least 70 youth per ward across the country, offering grant funding, business training, and market linkages.
Over the past two and a half years, Gov’t has constructed 1,800 kilometers of new tarmac roads and maintained over 134,800 kilometers.
SGR to be extended from Naivasha to Kisumu and onward to Malaba. Additionally, by July this year, construction will commence on the dual carriageway from Mau Summit to Rironi, eventually extending through Eldoret to Malaba.
Milk farmers are earning KSh50 per litre, up from KSh35. Coffee farmers are now earning up to KSh150 per kilo, a remarkable increase from an average of KSh65.
Tea earnings rose from KSh138 billion in 2022 to KSh215 billion in 2024. Sugar production surged from 490,000 metric tonnes in 2023 to 815,000 metric tonnes in 2024, enabling the to reduce sugar imports by 70%, while increasing farmers’ earnings from KSh50 billion to KSh90 billion.
Govt has leased four state- owned factories—Nzoia, Chemelil, Sony, and Muhoroni—to inject efficiency, restore profitability, and safeguard farmers’ livelihoods.
Kabonyo Fisheries and Aquaculture Service and Training Centre of Excellence in Nyando, Kisumu County. Once operational, it will produce 7 million fingerlings quarterly to restock Lake Victoria and drive research, training, and innovation.
Similarly, the Sagana Aquaculture Centre is being modernised to serve as a national breeding hub for warm-water species like Nile tilapia and African catfish.
In Mount Kenya’s highlands, the Kiganjo Trout Hatchery is being upgraded to resolve issues like fingerling shortages and high costs, ensuring trout farming remains viable in cooler regions.
At the Coast, the National Mariculture Research and Training Centre (NAMARET) in Shimoni, under the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), is cultivating marine species like milkfish, mud crabs, seaweed, oysters, and prawns.
The development of the Liwatoni and Shimoni Fishing Ports will further expand deep-sea fishing capacity to 24 vessels, fully unlocking our marine potential.
Additionally, five more landing sites are under construction in the coastal counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu, at a cost of KSh1 billion, due for completion by September.
Nine new landing sites are also planned around Lake Victoria in Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Migori, and Homa Bay, with a budget of KSh1.5 billion.
In the Coast, markets are being constructed in Likoni, Malindi, and Kibuyuni. In Turkana, govt i developing markets in Kalokol and Lowarengak, alongside fully equipped landing sites in Kalokol and Loiyangalani.
The Blue Economy currently contributes KSh36 billion, which is about 0.6% of GDP, but has the potential to contribute KSh400 billion through both capture and culture fisheries.
To meet rising fish demand and ease pressure on wild stocks, Govt is promoting cage fish farming in Lake Victoria. As of 2024, over 4,000 cages have been established in Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, and Busia, producing 12,000 metric tonnes annually, mostly Nile tilapia.
