Kenya’s Three Lost Years: A Critique Of Ruto’s Presidency

When William Samoei Ruto took the oath of office as Kenya’s fifth President in September 2022, his central promise was the “bottom-up economic transformation agenda.” It was a bold campaign message that resonated with millions of struggling Kenyans, painting a vision where hustlers would rise from poverty and gain access to affordable credit, jobs, and opportunities. Three years later, the lived reality of Kenyans is the complete opposite: a country in economic despair, social unrest, and broken promises.

The most striking truth three years later is poverty. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and other development partners paint a grim picture: over 67% of Kenyans live below the poverty line. This means that more than two-thirds of the population cannot afford basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare. The dream of affordable living has been shattered.

Food inflation remains the biggest driver of poverty. In 2022, a 2kg packet of maize flour cost about KSh 120–130. Today, it retails at over KSh 220 in most outlets, with some places recording even higher. Cooking oil, which retailed at KSh 280 per liter in 2022, now averages KSh 450–500. Bread, a staple for urban households, has risen from KSh 50 per loaf to nearly KSh 80. These are not just numbers—they are a reality that forces families to skip meals and children to go to bed hungry.

The government blames global shocks, Russia-Ukraine war dynamics, and climate change for food inflation. But the deeper issue lies in poor policy execution. Kenya remains a net food importer despite its vast arable land. Instead of empowering smallholder farmers with subsidies, extension services, and affordable fertilizers, the administration has allowed middlemen and cartels to profit at the expense of producers and consumers alike.

Read Also: An Open Letter To President William Ruto From The Kenyan Youth

Unemployment is the second crisis. The campaign promise of creating jobs has collapsed under the weight of economic mismanagement. Today, nearly 73% of Kenyans who are of working age are either unemployed or underemployed. With a working-age population of about 35 million, this translates into more than 25 million people without meaningful work. Graduates roam the streets, boda boda riders earn peanuts, and professionals seek greener pastures abroad.

The jobs crisis has worsened because of the collapse of manufacturing. In the last three years, more than 100 manufacturing firms have closed shop or relocated to neighboring countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The reasons are obvious: high cost of electricity, punitive taxes, corruption, and logistical inefficiencies. Instead of making Kenya an industrial hub, the government has presided over de-industrialization.

Electricity, once a basic utility, has now become a luxury. Over 60% of Kenyans cannot afford consistent access to power. Between 2022 and 2025, electricity tariffs have risen by more than 60%, partly because of IPP (Independent Power Producer) contracts that remain shrouded in secrecy. As households go dark, the government’s promise of universal electrification by 2030 looks increasingly hollow.

Fuel prices are another cornerstone of this crisis. In 2022, a liter of super petrol was KSh 159. Today, it averages between KSh 210–230. Diesel, essential for transportation and farming, has crossed KSh 200 per liter. These increases ripple through the economy, raising the cost of food, transport, and production. Instead of cushioning citizens, the administration doubled down on taxes, imposing VAT and levies that further push prices up.

Healthcare has deteriorated into a burden. More than 89% of Kenyans today pay out-of-pocket for medical bills. The NHIF reform was touted as a game-changer, but inefficiencies, corruption, and lack of proper financing have crippled the system. Families are being pushed into poverty by hospital bills, while public hospitals face constant strikes, drug shortages, and dilapidated infrastructure.

Education, once a source of hope, is collapsing. The rushed implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) continues to confuse parents, teachers, and learners. Tuition costs have risen, with university students struggling to afford higher fees after government cuts in funding. Primary and secondary schools grapple with overcrowded classes and inadequate facilities. Dreams of upward mobility through education are dimming.

Corruption under Ruto’s administration has reached historic highs. What shocks Kenyans most is not just the scale of corruption, but its normalization. Procurement scandals, inflated tenders, and politically connected cartels dominate the state. Billions are siphoned off while Kenyans are told to tighten their belts. For many, corruption has become “legalized theft.”

Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) highlight another silent crisis. According to CBK data, NPLs have crossed the 16% mark in 2025—the highest in two decades. This means nearly one in every six loans issued by banks is not being repaid. Businesses and households are drowning in debt they cannot service. Auctions of homes, land, and vehicles are happening left, right, and center as banks move to recover loans. This is a clear indicator of economi