Kenyan President William Ruto recently addressed parliament, highlighting his administration’s progress and unveiling a new KSh5 trillion development plan. Africa Check examined ten key claims made by Ruto during his speech, finding mixed results.

Ruto stated that Kenya was on par with Singapore, Malaysia, and other Asian countries in 1963, when Kenya gained independence. However, data from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators shows significant differences in population, GDP, GDP per capita, life expectancy, and manufacturing as a percentage of GDP between Kenya and these Asian economies at that time.

In terms of inflation, Ruto’s claim that it has slowed down is accurate, with the rate falling from 9.2% in September 2022 to 4.6% in October 2025. However, his statement that the Kenyan shilling has been stable for nearly two years is exaggerated, as it has remained stable for 17 months.

Ruto’s claims about agriculture were largely incorrect. He stated that maize production had increased, but national statistics show this is not the case. Additionally, his figures for tea earnings and sugarcane production were inaccurate. Sugar imports have actually increased by 5.8% from 2022 to 2024, contrary to Ruto’s claim of a 70% decrease.

In the education sector, Ruto’s administration has made progress, hiring tens of thousands of teachers. The Teachers Service Commission reported that 76,000 teachers had been employed as of December 2024, and the national treasury confirmed that 71,000 teachers had been hired between 2022 and 2025. Ruto’s claim about the growth of the education budget is mostly correct, with the allocation increasing from KSh489 billion in 2020/21 to KSh702.7 billion in 2025.

Overall, while Ruto’s administration has made some progress, his claims must be carefully examined for accuracy. As Kenya moves forward with its development plan, it is essential to rely on verifiable data and facts to ensure informed decision-making and accountability.