President William Ruto has said that 2026 will be a defining year in Kenya’s transformation journey, marking a turning point in the country’s economic and social development.
Speaking during his New Year address at the State Lodge in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, the President said the government has successfully confronted major challenges, created new opportunities, and laid a strong foundation for the country’s future.
Ruto noted that Kenya now has clear priorities and a defined roadmap, which positions 2026 as a watershed moment in the nation’s history.
“For the first time in a long while, Kenya is not guessing. We are not drifting. We are not gambling. We have set our targets, and we have begun the journey,” he said.
He added that future generations would look back at 2026 as the year Kenya changed course from promise to prosperity.
The President explained that the government has anchored its economic model on work, production, and exports, supported by deliberate investment in infrastructure, energy, irrigation-led agriculture, and skills development.
The goal, he said, is to increase jobs, reduce poverty, and uphold the dignity of every Kenyan.
According to Ruto, this is the same economic formula used by countries that successfully transitioned into first-world economies.
He further revealed that the government aims to halve poverty levels and reduce unemployment by half, while avoiding excessive taxation and unsustainable public debt.
To support this agenda, Ruto said the government has established the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund to finance development projects while protecting future generations.
Among the major projects expected to be completed or launched in 2026 are the Talanta Sports City Complex, Bomas International Convention Centre, the tarmacking of 6,000 kilometres of roads, the Rironi–Mau Summit Road, the Naivasha–Narok–Bomet–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway, the Galana Kulalu Dam, and a modern terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
President Ruto also addressed the growing challenge of drug and alcohol abuse, describing it as a serious threat to Kenya’s health, security, and economic future. He cited statistics showing that one in every six Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 uses at least one substance.
To address the crisis, he announced plans to strengthen law enforcement, expand the role of NACADA, and scale up the Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations from 200 to 700 officers.
Asset recovery in drug-related cases will also be prioritized, while security officers found colluding with traffickers will face prosecution and dismissal.
Ruto urged parents and communities to play an active role in protecting young people from addiction, saying laws alone cannot replace guidance and values.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki praised President Ruto’s leadership, saying his approach of engaging political rivals has promoted national unity and enabled the rollout of key programmes such as Affordable Housing and Universal Health Coverage.
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