Kenya has laid firm foundations for long-term national development, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said during his New Year’s address from State Lodge, Eldoret, noting that the country is now positioned to accelerate growth and consolidate key reforms in 2026.
Speaking shortly before President William Ruto’s address, Kindiki said Kenya had made important strides in recent years, with 2025 marking a particularly significant period in the implementation of foundational development priorities.
“Our country’s foundational development priorities are now in place and 2026 can only be better in accelerating and building on the foundation established by President William Ruto in the last three years,” Kindiki said.
He pointed to agriculture as one of the clearest indicators of progress, citing increased production of both food and cash crops across the country.
According to the Deputy President, “tremendous growth in the agricultural sector and increased production of food and cash crops is a result of the successful and timely distribution of subsidised fertiliser to our farmers across the country,” a programme that has strengthened food security and boosted farmer incomes.
Kindiki also highlighted reforms in the health sector, noting that expanded access to medical cover had marked a major shift in social protection.
“Through the radical reforms in the health sector, more than 25 million Kenyans are now registered for SHA medical cover,” he said.
Looking ahead, he added that in 2026, the government would streamline national health programmes, equip hospitals with modern medical equipment, recruit more staff and ensure health facilities have adequate medical supplies to enable all citizens to access quality and affordable healthcare.
Infrastructure development was another key pillar of the government’s foundation-building agenda.
Kindiki said innovative financing had enabled the revival and completion of hundreds of stalled road projects.
“Through innovative financing, the Government has prioritised the revival and completion of hundreds of road projects that had stalled for years,” he said, adding that in 2026 the government would accelerate the upgrading of airstrips and advance critical infrastructure, including the construction of the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway extending to the Kenya–Uganda border.
The Deputy President’s remarks echoed President Ruto’s commitment to pursue development without burdening future generations.
The President, during his end-of-year speech, said the government would act “without crushing taxpayers and without saddling our children with unsustainable debt,” announcing plans to operationalise the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund in January 2026.
The funds, the President said, would align financial resources with development priorities, mobilise domestic resources, attract private capital and ensure that proceeds from privatisation are invested strictly in public infrastructure that delivers long-term value.
Together, the statements underscored the government’s position that the fundamentals are now in place, with 2026 expected to focus on acceleration rather than course correction.
