Kenya’s Economy Reaches $136 Billion as Ruto Presents Growth Record to Parliament

NAIROBI — President William Ruto delivered an address to parliament on Thursday, presenting what he described as significant economic achievements during his administration, though the claims drew both support and scrutiny from various quarters.

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In his speech, Ruto cited Kenya’s gross domestic product expansion from $115 billion to $136 billion, positioning the country as Africa’s sixth-largest economy. The president pointed to inflation rates that have declined to 4.6% and highlighted the registration of over 300,000 new businesses as indicators of economic momentum.

The agricultural sector featured prominently in Ruto’s remarks. He reported that 7.1 million farmers have been registered under government programs and noted record levels of maize production. These figures were presented as evidence of his administration’s focus on agricultural transformation and food security.

On infrastructure development, the president outlined progress in the affordable housing initiative, stating that 230,000 homes have been delivered or are under construction. He also referenced ongoing expansion of the country’s rail network as part of broader transportation infrastructure improvements.

The address generated divided reactions across Kenya’s social and political landscape. Government supporters lauded what they characterized as a forward-looking vision for economic growth and development. However, critics took to social media platform X to voice concerns about the disconnect between macro-economic statistics and everyday realities facing ordinary Kenyans.

Opposition voices questioned whether the reported economic gains have translated into tangible improvements in affordability and employment opportunities. Many Kenyans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, particularly for basic commodities and housing, raising questions about the distribution of economic benefits.

Independent fact-checking organizations subsequently challenged aspects of Ruto’s presentation, particularly regarding certain economic comparisons and baseline figures used in the address. These disputes centered on methodology and the time periods selected for comparative analysis.

The contrasting responses to Thursday’s address reflect broader debates about Kenya’s economic trajectory and the metrics used to measure progress. As the administration moves into its next phase, bridging the gap between national economic indicators and household economic security remains a central challenge.

The government has not yet responded to the specific fact-checking queries or addressed the public criticism regarding affordability concerns.

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