President William Ruto has overseen a turnaround of Kenya’s economy, lowering inflation and strengthening the shilling against the dollar.

In a statement, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan said inflation dropped from 9.6 per cent to 4 per cent within the first two years of Ruto’s administration.

He added that the Kenya shilling has emerged as one of the world’s best-performing currencies, now trading steadily at Ksh 129 to the US dollar, down from Ksh 167.

Omar, who also serves as a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), noted that the country’s foreign exchange reserves have nearly doubled, rising from USD 5.8 billion to USD 11.8 billion during the same period.

“It remains a fact that President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government have lifted the country from the abyss of debt and near national collapse by not only meeting our sovereign obligations but also by adopting creative financing alternatives, steering away from the reckless borrowing of the Jubilee regime that funded infrastructure projects, particularly roads,” he said.

Omar praised President Ruto’s consistent advocacy for Africa’s interests on the global stage, especially on climate change and reforms in international lending systems such as the IMF, World Bank, and other Bretton Woods institutions. He described Ruto as one of Africa’s most respected voices and a true Pan-African champion.

“He has not only repositioned Kenya but also Africa on the global stage. His voice resonates across African capitals and inspires those who still believe in the promise of Africa and the historical mission of our forefathers,” Omar said.

He highlighted Ruto’s scientific and scholarly approach, citing his leadership in redefining Kenya’s and Africa’s climate agenda in his first year as President.

This was showcased during the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, hosted in Nairobi in 2023, which brought together global leaders, scientists, and scholars. The summit established Africa’s unified position on climate change, now referenced in all major global discussions.

President Ruto currently chairs the Committee of African Heads of State on Climate Change, cementing his place as one of the continent’s foremost advocates on the issue.

On peace and security, Omar commended Ruto for his coherent approach to stabilizing the North Rift, where banditry has significantly reduced.

He pointed to the voluntary surrender of 140 firearms in a single month as evidence that government peace efforts are bearing fruit.

Omar also lauded the President for reforms in higher education, noting that students, parents, and guardians are now enjoying the lowest fees in decades following the introduction of a new structure in May.

The Student-Centred Funding Model, he said, has stabilized universities, safeguarded them from imminent collapse, and expanded access to education and training for young people.

He further highlighted youth empowerment initiatives, noting that Kazi Majuu has created employment for 430,000 young Kenyans overseas, while Kazi Mitandaoni, through ICT hubs and Jitume centres, has enabled 180,000 youths to monetize digital content.

Meanwhile, close to 500,000 young people have been engaged in Kazi Kwa Ground, contributing to the development of critical infrastructure, including housing, roads, river regeneration and markets.

Omar said millions of Kenyans are now benefiting directly and indirectly from these programs.