President William Ruto has outlined significant milestones achieved under his administration’s “Hustler Agenda,” even as he acknowledged the hurdles facing the implementation of his bottom-up economic transformation plan. Speaking at State House on Friday during the swearing-in of three new Cabinet Secretaries, Ruto emphasized the advancements made in critical sectors, including affordable housing, agriculture, universal health coverage, and the digital economy.
Ruto lauded the progress achieved over the last two years and four months, asserting that the transformative agenda is already yielding tangible results. However, he reminded the newly sworn-in officials that much work remains to be done to fully realize the ambitious bottom-up agenda.
The president reiterated the importance of affordable housing, revealing that thousands of units are nearing completion to bridge the gap in housing accessibility. He described the initiative as one of the pillars driving socio-economic equity.
In agriculture, Ruto highlighted enhanced self-sufficiency in staple crops like maize and sugar as a direct outcome of increased productivity in agriculture and livestock sectors. These achievements, he noted, are crucial in improving food security and stabilizing the economy at the grassroots level.
On health, the president acknowledged the contributions of community health promoters, who are delivering quality primary healthcare services at the grassroots. This, he said, represents significant strides toward achieving universal healthcare coverage, a key tenet of his administration’s agenda.
Ruto also spotlighted the digital and creative economy strategy, which has seen the rollout of last-mile fiber optic networks and digital hubs in every ward across Kenya. The initiative is creating opportunities for thousands of Kenyans, particularly youth, to tap into emerging economic opportunities in technology and innovation.
The Hustler Fund, another cornerstone of the agenda, was credited for driving financial inclusivity. Ruto pointed out that this fund, combined with supportive regulatory frameworks, is transforming the informal sector by improving access to credit for small and medium enterprises.
However, Ruto acknowledged the challenging global and domestic economic environment marked by rising prices of essential commodities, particularly petroleum, and the effects of climate change. Global conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and a crippling debt burden have further compounded Kenya’s post-pandemic recovery efforts.
Despite these challenges, Ruto affirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the transformation agenda, calling for unity, teamwork, and resilience among government officials.
“This moment calls for extraordinary ability, strength of character, and steadiness of purpose,” Ruto said, challenging the new CSs to rise to the occasion. He expressed confidence in their ability to lead effectively and deliver on the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, promising continued progress for Kenyans.
As the government navigates economic complexities, Ruto assured Kenyans of his administration’s determination to deliver meaningful change and improve livelihoods across the country.
