Kenyan President William Ruto said Tuesday that reforms initiated by his government are expected to result in stronger economic performance, increased job opportunities for the youth and higher incomes for farmers and entrepreneurs.
Ruto, who delivered his end-of-year address in Kisii, western Kenya, on New Year’s Eve, said the government has successfully laid a solid foundation to hasten the country’s socioeconomic progress in 2025, urging Kenyans to embrace the New Year with faith, hope and determination to achieve greatness for Kenya.
“The progress we have made has set us firmly on a path of rapid and sustainable growth. As a result, we can anticipate stronger economic performance, more jobs for our youth, and higher incomes for farmers and entrepreneurs,” Ruto said. He said Kenya continues to outpace global trends, with gross domestic product growing 5.6 percent in 2023 and positioning the country among the world’s fastest-growing economies. “We expect more investments will mature in 2025, leading to a considerable expansion of our manufacturing sector and an increase in exports.”
Ruto lauded the Kenyan spirit that endured economic instability, climatic upheavals, and global inflationary pressures, noting despite these adversities, the nation continued to forge ahead, achieving notable progress in critical areas such as food security, healthcare, and education.
The president said reforms in basic and higher education would also bear fruit, providing new momentum and focus for the entire education sector. The Kenyan shilling, which began the year on a low note, has strengthened significantly, rising from 165 shillings to the U.S. dollar in February 2024 to 129 on Dec. 31, 2024.—Xinhua
