NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has declared 2026 a watershed year for Kenya, outlining plans to transform the country into a first-world economy while warning of a national crisis posed by drug and alcohol abuse.
Delivering his New Year’s message on Wednesday evening, the President said Kenya has laid strong foundations since 2023, with 2025 marking the first year citizens began to reap dividends from difficult but deliberate policy choices.
“For the first time in a long while, Kenya is not guessing. We are not drifting. We are not gambling. We have set our targets. We have begun the journey. And we now have a clear roadmap to make 2026 a defining year in Kenya’s history,” Ruto said.
Economic Transformation Agenda
The President announced the full operationalisation of the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund in January 2026, designed to finance development priorities, reduce reliance on borrowing, and secure intergenerational equity.
He pledged to cut poverty and unemployment by half, citing lessons from countries like South Korea and Singapore that deliberately organised their economies around work, industry, and exports.
Major projects slated for 2026 include:
- Completion of the Talanta Sports Complex ahead of the 2027 AFCON.
- Launch of the Bomas International Convention Centre as a regional hub for conferences.
- Construction of the Naivasha–Narok–Bomet–Nyamira–Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway.
- Expansion of irrigation infrastructure, including the Galana-Kulalu Dam, to bring 2.5 million acres under irrigation.
- Development of a modern, world-class airport at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Ruto highlighted ordinary Kenyans whose lives have been transformed by universal healthcare under the Social Health Authority (SHA), affordable housing, and agricultural reforms.
He cited examples of families accessing life-saving surgeries, cancer treatment, and modern homes, saying these stories reflect millions of citizens benefiting from policy outcomes.
Warning on Drug and Alcohol Abuse
The President described drug and alcohol abuse as a “clear and present danger” to Kenya’s health, security, and economic future, noting that over 4.7 million Kenyans aged 15–65 are affected.
He announced the establishment of a strengthened Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, expanded to 700 officers, with modern surveillance, forensic, and financial investigation capabilities. Asset seizure and forfeiture will be central to narcotics cases, with proceeds redirected to rehabilitation and prevention.
Ruto urged the Judiciary to consider specialised courts for fast-tracking drug-related cases and warned that any government official found colluding with traffickers would face immediate dismissal and prosecution.
“Kenya cannot grow, compete, or remain secure when millions are trapped in addiction. This crisis demands decisive national action,” he said.
Call for Accountability
The President concluded by stressing that leadership will now be judged by performance and results, not promises or longevity.
“The measure of leadership is impact, and that standard will apply to all,” he said, wishing Kenyans a prosperous 2026.
