President William Ruto has strongly defended the government’s controversial decision to lease out struggling sugar factories, accusing certain political leaders of sabotaging vital reforms and deliberately keeping communities in poverty.
Speaking at State House during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Ukambani counties—Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui—Ruto described the leasing strategy as a necessary step to revitalize Kenya’s ailing agricultural sector.
He criticized unnamed politicians for standing in the way of progress, warning that the government would not relent in its mission to uplift rural economies through bold and transformative reforms.“Some leaders want our people to remain poor so they can play politics with their suffering,” the President said. “But we have chosen the path of reform, however difficult it may be.”
President Ruto reaffirmed his vision for a self-reliant Kenya, declaring that by 2027 the country will cease sugar imports. He attributed this target to the ongoing crackdown on cartels and policy changes designed to boost local production.
Beyond sugar, the Head of State highlighted significant progress in tea, coffee, and general food production. He emphasized that ending hunger begins with empowering farmers, revealing that from next month, coffee farmers will receive payments within five days of delivering their produce—a marked improvement from current delays.
On broader economic reforms, the President championed the newly introduced mandatory national savings scheme, which requires a 6 percent contribution from both employees and employers. He termed it a long-term plan for economic security and resilience.
Turning to education, President Ruto pledged to hire an additional 24,000 teachers by the end of 2025 as part of efforts to enhance learning outcomes and achieve equitable access to quality education across the country.“Our children deserve a chance to learn, regardless of where they are born,” Ruto stated.
The meeting underscored the government’s reform agenda across agriculture, education, and economic management, with the President calling for support and unity in delivering development to the grassroots.
