Ruto Pushes Back Against Critics, Defends Ksh5 Trillion Economic Transformation Plan
President William Ruto has strongly defended the government’s ambitious Ksh5 trillion economic transformation programme, arguing that Kenya cannot achieve accelerated growth by relying on development models that have remained largely unchanged since independence.
Speaking on Thursday, the President said the country must abandon outdated economic approaches if it hopes to compete globally and deliver meaningful prosperity to its citizens.
He maintained that incremental change would no longer suffice in addressing Kenya’s structural challenges, insisting that bold reforms were necessary to place the country on a faster and more sustainable growth path.
“We are rolling out a Ksh5 trillion programme because doing things the same way for the last 60 years has not delivered the results we want,” Ruto said. “If we continue at the same pace, Kenya will fall behind. We must take a different approach.”
The President argued that Kenya’s long-standing development framework has constrained economic expansion, limiting job creation and slowing progress. According to Ruto, transformative growth requires a deliberate departure from conventional methods and a willingness to embrace innovation in policy and financing.
Quoting a popular saying, he dismissed resistance to reform, noting that repeating the same actions while expecting different outcomes was counterproductive. “We are not mad people. We understand what needs to be done, and we are prepared to do it,” he said, signalling the administration’s resolve to push ahead despite criticism.
Ruto explained that the government’s economic strategy is anchored on clearly defined priorities, disciplined implementation, and new ways of mobilising resources.
“We are rolling out a Ksh5 trillion programme because doing things the same way for the last 60 years has not delivered the results we want,” Ruto said. “If we continue at the same pace, Kenya will fall behind. We must take a different approach.”
The President argued that Kenya’s long-standing development framework has constrained economic expansion, limiting job creation and slowing progress. According to Ruto, transformative growth requires a deliberate departure from conventional methods and a willingness to embrace innovation in policy and financing.
Quoting a popular saying, he dismissed resistance to reform, noting that repeating the same actions while expecting different outcomes was counterproductive. “We are not mad people. We understand what needs to be done, and we are prepared to do it,” he said, signalling the administration’s resolve to push ahead despite criticism.
Ruto explained that the government’s economic strategy is anchored on clearly defined priorities, disciplined implementation, and new ways of mobilising resources.
He added that lasting national transformation would only be realised through decisive action rather than rhetorical commitments.
His remarks come shortly after the Cabinet approved the establishment of two major financial vehicles—the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund—effectively setting the stage for a long-term economic overhaul anchored on the Ksh5 trillion agenda.
According to State House, the National Infrastructure Fund will be registered as a limited liability company and will serve as a central mechanism for aligning public finances with national development priorities. The fund is expected to mobilise domestic capital, attract private investment, and generate value from existing infrastructure assets while supporting the development of new projects.
The government’s broader objective is to shift Kenya towards a sustainable, investment-led growth model that reduces heavy reliance on borrowing and taxation. Officials say the new approach will help preserve fiscal stability while accelerating infrastructure delivery.
Under the proposed framework, the government plans to leverage innovative financing tools, including strategic asset monetisation, mobilisation of national savings, and expanded participation through capital markets. By democratising ownership of development projects, the administration hopes to attract long-term investors such as pension funds, private equity firms, sovereign partners, and development finance institutions.
State House said the model is designed to move infrastructure development away from debt-heavy financing and towards collaborative arrangements that protect public value while improving efficiency and speed of execution.
A key pillar of the strategy involves ring-fencing all proceeds from privatisation and channeling them exclusively into infrastructure projects that generate lasting economic returns. This, the government says, will ensure that the sale of public assets directly translates into tangible national development rather than short-term budget support.
Cabinet projections indicate that every shilling invested through the National Infrastructure Fund could attract up to ten additional shillings from long-term investors, significantly amplifying the impact of public spending.
While the plan has drawn mixed reactions from various quarters, Ruto insists that the scale of Kenya’s economic challenges demands equally bold solutions. He maintains that the government’s focus is on building a resilient economy capable of supporting future generations.
His remarks come shortly after the Cabinet approved the establishment of two major financial vehicles—the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund—effectively setting the stage for a long-term economic overhaul anchored on the Ksh5 trillion agenda.
According to State House, the National Infrastructure Fund will be registered as a limited liability company and will serve as a central mechanism for aligning public finances with national development priorities. The fund is expected to mobilise domestic capital, attract private investment, and generate value from existing infrastructure assets while supporting the development of new projects.
The government’s broader objective is to shift Kenya towards a sustainable, investment-led growth model that reduces heavy reliance on borrowing and taxation. Officials say the new approach will help preserve fiscal stability while accelerating infrastructure delivery.
Under the proposed framework, the government plans to leverage innovative financing tools, including strategic asset monetisation, mobilisation of national savings, and expanded participation through capital markets. By democratising ownership of development projects, the administration hopes to attract long-term investors such as pension funds, private equity firms, sovereign partners, and development finance institutions.
State House said the model is designed to move infrastructure development away from debt-heavy financing and towards collaborative arrangements that protect public value while improving efficiency and speed of execution.
A key pillar of the strategy involves ring-fencing all proceeds from privatisation and channeling them exclusively into infrastructure projects that generate lasting economic returns. This, the government says, will ensure that the sale of public assets directly translates into tangible national development rather than short-term budget support.
Cabinet projections indicate that every shilling invested through the National Infrastructure Fund could attract up to ten additional shillings from long-term investors, significantly amplifying the impact of public spending.
While the plan has drawn mixed reactions from various quarters, Ruto insists that the scale of Kenya’s economic challenges demands equally bold solutions. He maintains that the government’s focus is on building a resilient economy capable of supporting future generations.
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