NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has criticized President William Ruto’s administration for failing to execute the ambitious economic and industrialization plans he initiated during his tenure at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
In a candid reflection posted on X (formerly Twitter) on October 4, Kuria, who also served as Ruto’s chief advisor on economic affairs, lamented that the government had “extinguished” the dream he had envisioned for Kenya’s rapid industrial growth.
“Today is the 4th of October. Exactly two years ago, I left the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry. I had huge dreams for our country. I dreamt of rapid industrialisation. I launched County Aggregation and Industrial Parks, Special Economic Zones, and Export Processing Zones,” Kuria wrote.
He added, “I led huge efforts in bilateral trade and regional integration. I dreamt that Kenya would be a heaven for foreign direct investments and business process outsourcing to create millions of jobs for Gen Z. Looking back at the last two years, I am disappointed that this dream has been extinguished. But I refuse to give up on Kenya. We still have a great country with immense potential.”
Today is the 4th of October. Exactly 2 years ago, I left the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. I had huge dreams for our country. I dreamt of rapid industrialisation. I launched County Aggregatuon and Industrial Parks. I launched many Special Economic Zones and Export
Kuria, who served as Trade CS between October 2022 and October 2023, was transferred to the Public Service docket before being dropped in July 2024, at the height of the Gen Z protests that swept across the country.
He was later reappointed as Senior Advisor to the Council of Economic Advisors on August 23, 2024, but resigned from government less than a year later.
While announcing his resignation in July, Kuria expressed pride in his contribution to President Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), noting that he had worked tirelessly to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance investment opportunities, and drive Kenya’s manufacturing competitiveness.
Political observers have interpreted his latest remarks as a subtle but clear critique of the administration’s economic direction.
“Kuria’s comments reflect growing frustration among technocrats who feel sidelined after contributing significantly to the government’s early vision,” said political analyst Mark Njoroge.
The former CS’s comments come amid widespread debate on the government’s delivery of its economic promises, with many Kenyans questioning whether Ruto’s BETA blueprint is yielding the intended results.
Kuria, however, maintained optimism, declaring that Kenya’s “immense potential” remains untapped, and that his commitment to national development is undeterred despite his exit from government.
