Mid-Term Scorecard: President Ruto’s Progress on the Bottom-Up Economic Agenda

At the halfway mark of President William Ruto’s first term, Kenya stands at a critical juncture, evaluating the successes and challenges of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) 2022-2027.

Designed to uplift millions at the base of the economic pyramid, BETA focuses on agriculture, MSMEs, affordable housing, healthcare, and digital transformation.

This mid-term review examines the administration’s key achievements, the impact on citizens, and areas requiring further intervention.

1. Agriculture

Agriculture remains central to Kenya’s economy, and the administration has prioritized reducing production costs, stabilizing farmer incomes, and increasing output.

Key Achievements

Fertilizer Subsidy: The price of fertilizer dropped by 67%, from KES 7,500 in 2022 to KES 2,500 in 2025, boosting affordability for farmers.

Increased Maize Production: Output rose by 39%, from 61.7M 50-kg bags in 2022 to 85.7M in 2025.

Expansion of Livestock Insurance: The number of insured Tropical Livestock Units (TLUs) increased from 78,175 in 2022 to 649,518 in 2025, benefiting 1.6 million pastoralists.

Revival of Key Crops: Guaranteed Minimum Returns (GMR) introduced for dairy, sugarcane, wheat, macadamia, and miraa, stabilizing farmer incomes.

Impact and Challenges

These interventions have increased productivity, reduced dependency on imports, and improved food security. However, challenges persist, including climate-related risks and slow adoption of modern farming techniques.

2. MSME Economy

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Kenya’s economy, and the government has focused on easing financial access and reducing regulatory bottlenecks.

Key Achievements

Hustler Fund: KES 63.5 billion disbursed to 26.3 million individuals and KES 196.8 million to 58,630 small businesses.

Reduced Bureaucracy: Digital tax and regulatory compliance processes streamlined via eCitizen, reducing business registration time.

Market Access: 2,001 MSMEs facilitated to access local and regional markets, including subcontracting opportunities in the Affordable Housing Program.

Impact and Challenges

While the Hustler Fund has expanded financial inclusion, concerns over loan repayment rates and sustainability remain.

Additionally, informal businesses still struggle with licensing challenges.

3. Affordable Housing

Housing is a flagship priority, with the goal of delivering 250,000 affordable units annually.

Key Achievements

Affordable Housing Units: 130,988 units under construction in 2025, a 1,061% rise from 8,872 in 2022.

Job Creation: 206,000 new jobs created in construction, benefiting TVET graduates and Jua Kali artisans.

Expanded Mortgage Access: Low-cost mortgages under KES 10,000 introduced, with a 40% rise in refinanced mortgages since 2022.

Impact and Challenges

The housing sector has stimulated employment and investment, but land acquisition, financing, and public-private partnerships require strengthening to meet the ambitious targets.

4. Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

Healthcare reform has focused on expanding insurance coverage and improving service delivery.

Key Achievements

Social Health Insurance (SHI): Membership grew by 146%, from 8M NHIF members in 2022 to 19.7M under SHA in 2025.

Strengthening Primary Healthcare: 106,542 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) recruited and equipped, covering 8.5M households.

KEMSA Reform: 63% of medical supplies now sourced from local manufacturers, reducing reliance on imports.

Impact and Challenges

While healthcare access has improved, challenges include delays in full implementation of new health laws and initial operational inefficiencies in SHA.

5. Digital and Economic Growth

Kenya is positioning itself as a digital hub by expanding infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.

Key Achievements

E-Government Services: Expansion of digital identity systems and automation of public services.

Digital Jobs: Investment in online work programs and tech hubs to create employment for youth.

Impact and Challenges

The digital shift has improved efficiency, but cybersecurity risks and digital inclusion for marginalized groups need to be addressed.

Conclusion

At the mid-term mark, the Kenya Kwanza administration has made significant progress in key sectors, laying a foundation for economic transformation.

However, challenges such as financing gaps, climate resilience, and public-private sector collaboration require further attention.

The next phase will be critical in ensuring these gains translate into sustainable economic prosperity for all Kenyans.

Verdict

Progress has been made, but sustained effort is needed to fully realize the BETA vision.