President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment as Kenya enters 2026, describing the new year as a turning point for the country’s economic transformation.
In his New Year address on December 31, 2025, President Ruto said the foundations laid in recent years have positioned Kenya for a major breakthrough. He noted that difficult economic decisions taken in 2023 and 2024 helped stabilise the economy, with positive results beginning to show in 2025.
The President highlighted progress in key sectors, saying millions of Kenyans have benefited from universal healthcare under the Social Health Authority (SHA), which now has over 29 million registered members. He shared stories of patients whose costly medical treatments were fully covered, easing the burden on families.
Ruto also pointed to improvements in agriculture, with higher maize harvests, better tea and coffee earnings, increased sugar production, and growing exports in livestock and dairy products. He said affordable fertiliser and quality seeds have helped farmers turn farming into a reliable investment rather than a gamble.
On jobs, the President said nearly one million Kenyans accessed employment through housing projects, labour mobility programmes, and the digital economy, with more opportunities expected in 2026.
Despite the gains, Ruto acknowledged ongoing challenges, noting that nearly four in ten Kenyans still live below the poverty line and many young people remain unemployed. He said addressing these issues is the government’s top priority.
To tackle this, the President announced clear targets for 2026: cutting poverty and unemployment by half. He said this would be done without overburdening taxpayers or increasing national debt.
Key to this plan is the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund in early 2026. These funds will finance major development projects, reduce reliance on borrowing, and protect wealth for future generations.
Major infrastructure projects planned include new highways, the standard gauge railway linking Naivasha to Malaba, irrigation dams such as Galana-Kulalu, a modern airport at JKIA, and the completion of the Talanta Sports Complex ahead of AFCON 2027.
The President also raised concern over rising alcohol and drug abuse, calling it a national emergency. He announced plans to strengthen the Anti-Narcotics Unit, increase enforcement, seize assets linked to drug trafficking, and work closely with communities to protect young people.
Ruto concluded by calling for accountability in leadership, saying public officials will be judged by results, not promises. He urged Kenyans to remain united, peaceful, and focused on building a prosperous nation.
“2026 will be the year of execution,” he said, wishing Kenyans a peaceful and hopeful New Year.
