President William Ruto addresses the nation during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay county, June 1, 2025. /PCSPresident William Ruto on Sunday led Kenyan’s in marking the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations at the new Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay county.
The event was well attended, such that Homa Bay residents started arriving at the stadium on the eve of the celebrations and by midnight, the 12,000-seater stadium was nearly full, underscoring the immense public interest in the national celebration.
The President used the occasion to highlight key successes of his administration since taking the oath of office on September 13, 2022.
Economic recovery and growth
Ruto noted that the country’s economy has stabilised and grown significantly since August 2022.
"We have not only stabilised our economy but also charted a clear course to long-term prosperity,” he said.
He stated that the country recorded a five percent average annual growth rate, surpassing both the global (3.3 percent) and regional (3.8 percent) averages.
Further, inflation dropped from 9.6 percent in October 2022 to 3.8 percent in May 2025.
Ruto also noted that the Kenyan shilling appreciated from Sh162 to Sh129 against the US dollar, and foreign exchange reserves increased to $10 billion, covering four months of imports.
Affordable Housing programme
The President highlighted the transformative impact of the Affordable Housing Programme, describing it as a symbol of socio-economic renewal.
With 11,000 out of 150,000 housing units completed, Ruto shared stories of beneficiaries like Jerusha Muthoni and Kennedy Otieno Odede.
“To see families move from the hardship of overcrowded slums to the relative comfort of permanent homes... was a powerful reminder of what pro-people policies can deliver,” he said.
He also announced plans to propose a law allowing housing levy contributors to access home loans of up to Sh5 million at single-digit interest rates
"We shall be proposing to Parliament a reform to the law that will allow any contributor to access an affordable home loan of up to Sh5 million at a single-digit interest rate applicable toward any housing unit in the market."
Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Ruto noted that since the rollout of Taifa Care in October 2024, 23 million Kenyans have registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Over Sh43 billion has been disbursed to healthcare facilities, and 4.5 million Kenyans have received fully covered treatment.
“For the first time in Kenya’s history, under SHA, citizens can access free emergency services in all facilities, funded by the government through the Emergency, Critical, and Chronic Illness Fund,” he said.
“This groundbreaking reform is eliminating the burden of mandatory deposits demanded by hospitals”.
He said so far, 1.7 million informal sector households have successfully enrolled and paid for social health insurance, a record achievement representing the highest number of informal sector enrolments in a single year in the history of Kenya.
Agriculture and food security
Ruto underscored progress in agriculture through fertilizer subsidies, reforms in coffee and sugar sectors and increased earnings for farmers.
"Coffee farmers are now earning up to Sh150 per kilo, a remarkable increase from an average of Sh65,” he said.
He noted that tea earnings rose to Sh215 billion in 2024. Sugar production grew by 66 percent, reducing imports by 70 percent.
He also commented on the recent move where the government leased four state-owned sugar factories to enhance efficiency and productivity.
"Let it be clearly understood that neither the factories nor their assets... have been sold. They remain public property,” he said.
Education reforms
The President reaffirmed the shift to a Competency-Based Curriculum, supported by the recruitment of 76,000 new teachers and the construction of over 23,000 classrooms.
“We have also built more than 23,000 additional classrooms, easing pressure on existing infrastructure and shielding teachers and learners from the burden of overcrowded classrooms,” he said.
He stated that the student-centered university funding model now covers up to 90 percent of tuition for students from poor households.
Ruto added that the TVET enrollment is expected to quadruple to 2 million by the end of 2025.
Youth empowerment and Hustler Fund
The President stated that Hustler Fund has disbursed Sh70 billion to over 25 million borrowers and introduced a credit rating system as an alternative to traditional collateral.
“It has also introduced a revolutionary credit rating system that is transforming access to finance for millions who were previously excluded from the formal financial system,” he added.
Ruto announced the Sh20 billion National Youth Opportunity Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project, in partnership with the World Bank to support over 800,000 youths through skills training, business development and seed capital grants.
“This initiative aims to empower over 800,000 youth aged 18–29 years and up to 35 years for those with disabilities, by enhancing employability through skills training, on-the-job experience, recognition of prior learning, entrepreneurial development and the promotion of a savings culture,” he added.
The President said the NYOTA Project leverages the Hustler Fund platform and has already attracted over 1 million applicants for its business support component.
“This initiative targets at least 70 youth per ward across the country, offering grant funding, business training, and market linkages,” he said.
“We have committed Sh5 billion in grants to support 100,000 young people, each receiving Sh50,000 in seed capital to start their entrepreneurial journey by August this year.”
Climate Worx and environmental jobs
He stated that the nationwide rollout of the Climate Worx programme will engage over 110,000 young people in environmental work, including road construction, tree planting and sanitation in informal settlements.
“Through Climate Worx, we are not just offering a paycheck for today; we are providing financial relief and a bridge to future opportunities, enabling young people to pursue their next steps, whether in launching a business, furthering their education, or stepping into long-term employment,” he said.
Blue Economy investment
With this year’s Madaraka Day themed around the Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Ruto emphasised investment in fisheries and aquaculture.
He detailed developments such as the Kabonyo Centre of Excellence, upgrades to fish hatcheries, new landing sites and modern fish markets.
“Once operational, it will produce 7 million fingerlings quarterly to restock Lake Victoria and drive research, training, and innovation,” he said.
“The facility will house a Nile Perch Innovation Centre, an Aquaculture Resource Centre, and the Kenya Fishing School, positioning Kenya as a regional aquaculture leader.”
Similarly, the Sagana Aquaculture Centre is being modernised to serve as a national breeding hub for warm-water species like Nile tilapia and African catfish.
Infrastructure expansion
Ruto noted that since taking office, the government has built 1,800 kilometers of new roads and maintained over 134,800 kilometers.
He added that the construction on the SGR extension from Naivasha to Malaba and the Mau Summit–Rironi dual carriageway is expected to begin by July.
Call for national unity and self-belief
Ruto concluded with a call for self-belief and collective responsibility, urging Kenyans to embrace change and build a future where no one is left behind.
“Let us never become a nation that stopped believing, nor a people who only dreamt but were too afraid to act,” he said.
“Let us move forward with that same spirit, honouring the vision of our founding fathers. Their dream was not just self-rule, but a nation where every Kenyan, from every corner, can dream freely, strive equally, and achieve their potential”.
