President Ruto’s State of the Nation: Fact-Checking Key Remarks
The much anticipated State of the Nation address by President William Ruto has come and gone.
The President is mandated by the Constitution to address the nation every year and give a ‘status’ update of the country on three key areas: national security, national values and governance, and progress in delivering the nation’s international obligations.
This year’s address was highly anticipated, because it came against the backdrop of major issues affecting many Kenyans such as the high cost of living. Many were looking forward to hearing what the head of state had to say.
After the dust following the speech had settled and water found its level, Nation Research combed through the State of the Nation address, to highlight the key issues the president spoke about, and the key pledges he made.
Below is a breakdown:
Pledges from the State of the Nation Address
1. Commenced the rollout of 100,000 kilometers of the last mile fiber optic connectivity, with 25,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots in all market centers. By the end of 2023, the first 2,200 will be rolled out.
2. In December, Kenya will settle the first Sh500 billion debt installment of the US 2 billion dollars Eurobond debt that falls due next year
3. Directed that 80 percent of future recruitment of all security services from the military, police, KWS, KFS, and all other security agencies, that 80 percent will come from the well-trained, talented, and committed young men and women who have undergone training at the NYS.
4. Construction of 400 markets across the country is underway.
CLAIM VERIFICATION
1. Sh3 billion allocations to the judiciary to enhance work.
TRUE
The Kenyan government under President William Ruto allocated an additional Sh3 billion to the judiciary.
The total budget for the Judiciary in the 2023/2024 financial year is Sh23 billion, up from Sh18.8 billion in the previous financial year.
2. Fertilizer prices were reduced from Sh6,500 to Sh2,500.
TRUE
The Kenyan government significantly reduced the price of fertilizer. The price of a 50 bag of fertilizer was reduced from Sh6,500 to Sh3,500 and later (in August) to Sh2,500.
3. 2kg packet of Maize flour retailing at between Sh145 and Sh175 depending on the brand down from Sh250.
False
2kg packet of maize flour is retailing at an average of Sh200.
4. Digital register for farmers – Does it exist?
TRUE
The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, launched a digital platform known as the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (KIAMIS) to:
1. Facilitate the registration of farmers.
2. Provide e-extension, credit management, and mechanization services by the Government and counties.
The platform is also designed to organize and use data to implement various farmer support services. The registration system has been tested and used to register farmers and give the fertilizer subsidy on a pilot basis.
5. Established 22 new fish landing sites in nine counties in Nyanza and the coast.
TRUE
The government under President William Ruto has set aside up to Sh900 million for fish landing sites in the Nyanza region.
The 9 landing sites in the region, which the president said should start functioning within the next year, are to be located at Luanda Kotieno (this one is complete), Wich Lum, Asat, Bugar, Sori, and two more in Homa Bay county.
Additionally, on November 5, the president commissioned 11 fish landing sites to be constructed in Lamu, Bura, and Tana River.
12. Set up 2 hatcheries in Kabonyo Kisumu and Shimoni kwale
True
President Ruto inaugurated Kabonyo Fisheries Aquaculture Service and Training Centre of Excellence in Kabonyo, Kisumu County during his tour of the region. The facility is expected to produce up to 10 million fingerlings per year, which will help in restocking Lake Victoria.
True
Construction of a fish hatchery in Shimoni port is yet to begin. The tender for its construction was on November 3 rewarded by President Ruto to another contractor following a complaint of delay. Sh 1 billion is set apart for its construction.
14. 17 certified warehouses jointly managed by the National Cereals and Produce Board and private sector owners with a combined capacity of 365 metric tonnes have been prepared in maize growing areas.
Partly true
By July 6th, the Ministry of Agriculture was requesting Sh1 billion from the National Treasury to operationalize a warehouse receipt system. The system allows farmers to deposit their products in certified warehouses belonging to the National Cereals and Produce Board. The produce is then tested, cleaned, graded, and stored, allowing for the reduction of post-harvest losses. Media reports show there are 30 warehouses
15. NSSF growth from 1.4 billion in January to 6.5 billion per month.
No available data
18. 56,000 new teachers have been employed in 2023.
PARTLY FALSE.
80 percent of 56,000 teachers are on short-term contracts (hired), while 20 percent are permanently employed.
20. About Sh60 billion debt accrued by public universities as of 2022.
POSSIBLY TRUE
According to financial reports, Kenyan public universities had accrued a debt of about Sh56 billion As of 2022.
21. Open University of Kenya is now a chartered university after being in the works for 10 years. The first 1,000 students will report next month.
TRUE
The Open University of Kenya was awarded a charter on August 3, 2023, by President William Ruto. The university is located in the Konza Technopolis in Machakos County.
22. Deployed 100,000 community health volunteers, with electronic digital kits. CHPs have attended to 1.2 million households in the past month
In progress
President announced in June that his administration would employ 103,000 CHPs. In September, he flagged off the distribution of 100,000 kits to be used by CHPs in household screening. However, they are yet to be confirmed, as counties are supposed to identify those to be recruited.
23. Construction of 46,792 affordable houses underway. Construction of 40,000 units to begin soon
True
Announced during Mashujaa celebrations that 46,792 units are being constructed
25. 30,000 government services digitized
Possibly true
5,000 government services were digitized in June, with an unspecified number to be onboarded later. The 30,000 figure is the first announcement since then.
26. Employed 20,000 new healthcare workers, deployed 8,429 workers whose contracts had lapsed, 3,394 interns enrolled across the country to increase the availability of human capital in the health sector.
False-employment of 20,000 healthcare workers remains an unfulfilled promise from January 2023.
True-Contracts that had lapsed were in September 2023 extended for three years
Partly false: Media reports show that about 1,200 interns were deployed to hospitals since the beginning of the year.
28. Over 50,000 Kenyans are employed through the affordable housing program.
No available data
29. Commenced the rollout of 100,000 kilometers of the last mile fiber optic connectivity, with 25,000 free WiFi hotspots in all market centers. By the end of 2023. The first 2,200 will be rolled out.
True
- The Communications Authority of Kenya and the ICT Authority signed an agreement on April 18, 2023, to deploy the last mile fiber optic cable connectivity across 19 counties that were unserved and under-served.
True, in progress
- 17 free WiFi hotspots already set up within Nairobi County alone, including in Muthurwa and city Markets.
President Ruto’s State of the Nation: Fact-Checking Key Remarks
