From 9.6% to 4.5%: Ruto Says Economy Is Finally Turning Around

President William Ruto on Thursday delivered a strong message of optimism and reassurance to young people during the NYOTA programme engagement in Machakos County.

He positioned the initiative as a key pillar in his administration’s plan to transform the country.

Addressing hundreds of youths, Ruto said his government is determined to reverse years of economic strain through focused leadership and deliberate policy reforms.

He maintained that Kenya’s challenges were not insurmountable but stemmed largely from leadership failures that had stalled progress for decades.

I want to assure the young people that by God’s grace, we are going to change this country,” Ruto said. “The challenge we have had is poor leadership. We are now changing Kenya one step at a time.”

The President pointed to improved economic indicators as evidence that the government’s approach is beginning to bear fruit.

He highlighted the reduction in inflation as a major milestone, noting that the cost of living has eased significantly compared to previous years.

Today, inflation has come down from 9.6 per cent to 4.5 per cent,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd. Ruto argued that the drop in inflation has helped stabilize household spending and provided relief to businesses, particularly small enterprises run by young entrepreneurs.

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The NYOTA programme targets youth empowerment through financial support, skills development, and enterprise growth. It has been central to the administration’s strategy to tackle unemployment.

Ruto said empowering young people is critical to unlocking Kenya’s economic potential and ensuring sustainable development.

He urged beneficiaries to use the opportunity responsibly, emphasizing discipline, innovation, and hard work as the foundations of success.

According to the President, youth led businesses will play a major role in driving industrial growth and expanding the country’s economic base.

Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to working with county governments and development partners to expand youth focused programmes nationwide.

He concluded by calling on young Kenyans to remain hopeful and actively participate in the country’s transformation journey, insisting that meaningful change is already underway.