Ruto’s State of the Nation Address: A Story of Progress or Promise?

Kenya’s 2024 State of the Nation address was a moment to pause and listen.

President Ruto took to the podium, not as a politician seeking approval but as a leader balancing hope with hard truths.

Yet, as I sat through the long exposition of achievements and plans, one thought lingered: Is this progress we can feel, or is it just another promise wrapped in eloquence?

For once, though, it lingered with an almost tangible sense of honesty and conviction in the president.

Economy: Growth, or Games?

While economic indicators are undeniably strong, the real question is whether ordinary Kenyans feel the impact in their day-to-day lives.

Shilling appreciation: From KSh 162/dollar (Feb 2024) to KSh 129/dollar – a 20% gain. Sure, it eases external debt, but how long before external pressures bite back?

Inflation: From 9.6% (Sept 2022) to 2.7% (Oct 2024). This is the first time in 17 years we have seen this low.

Forex reserves: Now at $9.5 billion, covering 4.8 months of imports – the highest in a decade. This boost, however- means little in stability for low income businesses on the ground.

Interest rates: Declining, making loans cheaper and growth more feasible. Yet, can we count on this to stimulate long-term investments?

Tax revenue: This is up by 11.5% as at June 2024 – thanks to expanded tax measures. It is a solid step forward, but then alot of hiccups in translating this growth into tangible benefits for taxpayers.

Economic growth: 5.6% (2023) with projections of 5% (2024) and 5.6% (2025).

We wait.

President Ruto arrives at parliament buildings for his 2024 State of The Nation address. (Image: Statehouse)

Taifa Care: Kenyans Hunger for Dependable Healthcare

The transition from NHIF to Taifa Care is bold – maybe even revolutionary. Finally, a healthcare system that promises inclusion, efficiency, and affordability.

It’s ambitious, but ambition needs execution. Are rural clinics ready to handle the influx?

Will this actually mean fewer Kenyans resorting to Harambees to pay hospital bills?

This is where the President struck a chord, reminding us of the countless families one illness away from financial ruin.

“Under Taifa Care, citizens are eligible for all services upon registration. I urge every Kenyan to take the most important step I’m securing dependable healthcare for themselves and their families: register now or at the earliest opportunity….” President Ruto said.

If his administration delivers even half of what Taifa Care promises, it could be a game changer.

Affordable Housing: Building Dreams or Boxes?

Housing was another big-ticket item in the President’s speech.

The affordable housing program has created over 164,000 jobs and nearly 5,000 units are ready for sale.

But here’s my dilemma: Is affordable housing a plan for dignity, or just a way to tick off a manifesto promise?

When he spoke about planned urbanization and its role in protecting agricultural land, I felt a spark of hope.

But I wonder – are these homes truly accessible to the average Kenyan, or will they end up as investment opportunities for the elite?

Agriculture : Turning Point for Food Security

As a fledgling farmer, I was very keen on the president’s remarks around it:

  • 6.45 million farmers in 45 counties have received subsidized fertilizer since February 2024. Impressive? Yes.

Small-scale farmers, though are yet to reap the real benefits, as middlemen still cling on the reins.

  • Over 7 million bags of fertilizer distributed through e-vouchers.

Efficient on paper – but the hardship lies in its accessibility for farmers in remote areas.

  • A projected 74 million 90kg bags of maize this season. A national record!

But let’s ask – will this reduce food prices, or will cartels still dictate the market?

  • 11 long-term deals with fertilizer suppliers to guarantee year-round availability.

Good news, finally – as long as this consistency can survive the 5-year political cycles.

The president’s goal is clear: Boost agricultural output, cut food imports, and make food affordable. If executed well, this could be a game changer.

Kenya’s agriculture sector has been stuck in cycles of inefficiency for decades. This intervention feels different – ambitious, but practical.

However, the devil is in the implementation.

A Nation’s Strength Lies in Its People

What struck me most wasn’t the economic jargon or lofty policy talk – it was the President’s plea for unity.

His call for “radical collaboration” felt genuine.

But unity isn’t built on words. It requires action, fairness, and trust – values that feel increasingly rare in our political space.

As a Kenyan, I want to believe in this vision. I want to feel the optimism he exuded. But belief needs proof.

Is this address a turning point, or will it join the pile of forgotten speeches that promised more than they delivered?

What are your thoughts? Let me know below in the comment section.

Indian Billionaire Gautam Adani Faces Fraud Charges in the US

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been charged with fraud in the United States, accused of orchestrating a $250 million (£198 million) bribery scheme and concealing it to secure funding in the US.

The charges, filed in New York on Wednesday, mark another setback for the 62-year-old tycoon, whose vast business empire spans industries such as ports, airports, and renewable energy. According to the indictment, Adani and senior executives allegedly paid bribes to Indian officials to secure lucrative renewable energy contracts projected to generate over $2 billion in profits over two decades.

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The Adani Group has yet to issue a response regarding the allegations.

The conglomerate has been under scrutiny in the US since 2023, following a high-profile report accusing it of fraud. Although Adani denied those claims, they triggered a significant sell-off in the markets. Reports of a bribery investigation had been circulating for months. US prosecutors revealed that the investigation began in 2022 but faced obstruction by company officials.

Prosecutors claim Adani executives raised $3 billion through loans and bonds, including from US-based firms, using false and misleading statements about the company’s anti-bribery practices and the ongoing bribery probe.

“The defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and concealed the scheme while raising capital from U.S. and international investors,” US Attorney Breon Peace stated. He emphasized his office’s commitment to combating corruption in global markets and protecting investors.

Officials allege Adani personally met with government representatives to further the bribery scheme.

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Adani Claims They Paid Ksh. 6.5M to Kenyan Government for JKIA Acquisition Proposal

Adani, a close associate of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has consistently faced accusations from opposition leaders about benefiting from political connections, allegations he denies.

Notably, the charges come shortly after Donald Trump won the US presidential election, promising reforms to the Justice Department. Last week, Adani publicly congratulated Trump on his victory and pledged a $10 billion investment in the United States.

Adani Claims They Paid Ksh. 6.5M to Kenyan Government for JKIA Acquisition Proposal

Adani Airport Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of India’s Adani Group, has disclosed that it paid Ksh. 6.5 million ($50,000) to the Kenyan government as a review fee for its proposed acquisition and modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. This payment is part of the company’s $1.85 billion (Ksh. 242 billion) bid to manage and upgrade the airport.

In court documents filed on September 17, Adani confirmed that the review fee was paid to the Public Private Partnerships Facilitation Fund, in compliance with Kenyan regulations. The company’s legal team stated, “Upon submission of the PIP (Privately Initiated Proposal), the 5th respondent (Adani Airport Holdings Limited) duly paid a review fee of USD 50,000 to the Public Private Partnership Facilitation Fund.” This payment was accompanied by necessary documentation, including tax compliance and financial records, to support the government’s due diligence on the project.

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Adani’s JKIA Proposal Approved in Just 17 Days

The proposal is currently under legal challenge after the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) filed a lawsuit on September 9 to block the project. Adani’s legal team has verified the payment and provided additional documentation to aid the due diligence process.

Adani has rejected claims that it has already secured a 30-year lease for the airport, asserting that the project is still in the review and due diligence stage. They indicated that the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has recognized their proposal and permitted them to proceed with a feasibility study.

The proposal includes a detailed feasibility study covering the project’s environmental and social impact, financial planning, and benefits for the Kenyan public. Adani’s court documents emphasize that the project aligns with national infrastructure priorities and aims to resolve long-standing issues at JKIA.

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Esther Passaris Backs Adani’s Management Deal for JKIA

Adani also submitted a preliminary operational plan for the airport, stressing the project’s transparency and alignment with Kenya’s infrastructure needs.

According to Kenya’s Public Private Partnerships Act, privately initiated proposals must align with national infrastructure priorities, fiscal affordability, and value for money. The law mandates a non-refundable review fee of 0.5% of the project’s estimated cost or $50,000, whichever is lower, to be paid into the Public-Private Partnership Facilitation Fund. This fee does not obligate the government to approve the proposal, ensuring each bid undergoes a fair evaluation.

Adani’s JKIA Proposal Approved in Just 17 Days

The Indian conglomerate Adani Group revealed that its proposal to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) for a feasibility study was approved in just 17 days, as stated by Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka.

A feasibility study assesses the viability of a project, determining if it can be successfully executed.

Senator Onyonka raised concerns during a Senate Roads and Transportation Committee meeting, questioning how such a brief period could suffice for a project of this magnitude. The committee was grilling Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.

Documents submitted to the committee showed that the government has initiated a due diligence process to evaluate Adani Limited’s technical and financial capability. Despite this, Chirchir clarified that no final agreement had been signed.

Onyonka also pointed to disagreements among KAA board members regarding the 30-year concession to Adani, expressing concerns about the speed of the process and the possible involvement of government officials in pushing the deal forward.

“There were suggestions that our airport, valued at 1.2 trillion shillings, could be leased for just 136 billion shillings over 35 years. Was it not apparent, Waziri, that some government officials might have a vested interest in this deal?” Onyonka asked.

In response, Chirchir defended the timeline, explaining that much of the due diligence was conducted remotely, leveraging previous case studies. He also noted that while a “Head of Terms” agreement had been reached to outline negotiation points, it remains non-binding.

Chirchir emphasized, “We haven’t signed any final agreements yet. We are currently conducting stakeholder consultations and due diligence, which will inform the final concession agreement.”

Despite this explanation, legislators such as Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka continued to challenge Chirchir, accusing high-level government officials of favoring Adani in the 30-year lease deal for the airport.