Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on Kenyans to remain patient with the Kenya Kwanza administration, emphasizing that President William Ruto inherited an economy weighed down by domestic and global challenges.
Speaking during a church service in Lodwar, Turkana County, Kindiki acknowledged the economic hardships facing Kenyans but highlighted the government's strides in stabilizing key sectors and improving livelihoods.
Accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul Moe (East African Community and Regional Development), Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, Deputy Governor John Erus, and several MPs and local leaders, the DP shared the administration’s progress.
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“When President Ruto took office, the shilling was trading at its weakest—Ksh.170 to the dollar. Today, it stands at Ksh.129,” Kindiki noted, crediting deliberate interventions by the government for stabilizing the currency.
He also pointed to reduced petroleum prices as evidence of Kenya Kwanza’s efforts. “The high cost of fuel, which had been inflating transportation and production expenses, has significantly decreased, with further reductions announced just yesterday,” he said.
Kindiki reassured Kenyans of continued improvements, including lower costs for essential commodities and reduced loan interest rates. “Let us not lose hope. The same God who has guided us in stabilizing economic indicators will help us achieve the rest of our goals,” he added.
**Focus on Job Creation and Household Incomes**
The Deputy President outlined the administration’s top priority in the remaining three years of its first term: raising household incomes and creating jobs.
“Inflation, food prices, and fuel costs have stabilized. Now, we are focusing on implementing projects and policies to put more money in citizens’ pockets,” Kindiki said.
He highlighted key initiatives, including hiring 20,000 youth to clean the Nairobi River, expanding the Climate Works Programme nationwide, and recruiting 76,000 teachers—the largest number ever employed by any administration.
“We’ve also created thousands of local and international opportunities for young people, ensuring equitable access across all regions,” he emphasized.
Security Achievements in Turkana and North Rift
On security, Kindiki praised the government’s efforts to restore peace in Turkana and the North Rift region through Operation Maliza Uhalifu.
“The security situation in Turkana and neighboring counties has significantly improved. Multi-agency security teams have dismantled criminal networks involved in livestock rustling and banditry, creating a path for economic transformation,” he said.
He commended the collaborative efforts of political, religious, and community leaders in fostering peace, urging sustained partnerships to maintain stability.
“Security and stability in the North Rift and other regions remain a top priority. We’ve implemented multistakeholder peace-building programs to ensure that bandits and criminals do not regroup,” Kindiki concluded.
