The Government of Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to equitable development and inclusive economic transformation through strategic investments across key sectors under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). In a press briefing held in Mombasa during a county tour for the 4th Quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, Government Spokesperson Hon. Sen. (Dr.) Isaac Mwaura, CBS, outlined major gains achieved over the past two years of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Social Protection Initiatives
The Government continues to support vulnerable groups through the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme. In May 2025 alone, over Kshs. 3.5 billion was disbursed to 1.75 million beneficiaries:
- Kshs. 2.5 billion to 1.25 million elderly persons
- Kshs. 886.8 million to 443,000 orphans and vulnerable children
- Kshs. 127.2 million to 63,600 people with severe disabilities
This intervention remains a cornerstone of national efforts to reduce poverty and uphold the dignity of Kenya’s most at-risk populations.
Agricultural Growth and Food Security
Agriculture—a key pillar of the BETA blueprint—recorded a 4.6% growth in 2024. This was driven by the distribution of subsidized fertilizer (from Kshs. 6,500 in 2022 to Kshs. 2,500 in 2023), improved crop yields, and enhanced livestock production. As a result, the country’s food import dependency ratio dropped to 17.3%, contributing to inflation reduction and a lower Central Bank Rate (CBR), which fell from 12.5% in 2023 to 11.25% in 2024.
Trade Performance
Kenya’s merchandise trade expanded by 5.5%, reaching Kshs. 3.819 trillion in 2024. Export earnings grew by 10.4%, while imports rose by 3.6%, narrowing the trade deficit to Kshs. 1.594 trillion.
Tourism Sector Expansion
International tourist arrivals increased by 14.7%, reaching 2.394 million in 2024. Additional growth was recorded in:
- Hotel bed occupancy, rising by 18.9% to 10.26 million
- Conferences: 999 international and 11,225 local events
- Over 1.1 million visits to national museums, snake parks, and historical sites
The sector also significantly contributed to employment, with 90% of the 782,300 jobs created in 2024 coming from the informal economy. Tourism now accounts for over 10% of the national GDP.
Education Reforms and Higher Learning Access
The Government has implemented major education reforms guided by the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER). These include the rationalization of learning areas under the CBC curriculum and the improvement of school infrastructure.
University and TVET enrollment continue to grow, with TVET numbers rising from 60,667 (2018) to 327,778 (2022). To address historical funding gaps in higher education—amounting to Kshs. 61 billion—the Government introduced a new student-centered funding model in May 2023. This model is designed to ensure equity, increase innovation in institutions, and match funding to actual program costs.
Development Projects in the Coast Region
Hon. Mwaura highlighted major multi-sectoral investments currently underway in the Coast region:
Kwale County
- Over 15 infrastructure projects, including road and bridge construction
- Ukunda Airstrip runway expansion (89% complete)
- 195 affordable housing units in Matuga
- Mwache Multipurpose Dam (118 million cubic meters)
- Shimoni Fish Port development
- ESP markets, ICT hubs, and county aggregation parks
- Extension of the Last Mile Electricity program to over 225 households
Mombasa County
- 27+ ongoing projects across housing, roads, and fish landing sites
- Dongo Kundu SEZ: a 300m berth, container yard (1,830 TEUs), and 2,000-car yard
- Power infrastructure (Mariakani–Dongo Kundu line)
- Multipurpose halls, ICT hubs, and tourism development facilities
Looking Ahead
The Government reiterated its determination to build an inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive economy. Through continued investments in critical sectors, Kenya Kwanza seeks to unlock new opportunities, empower communities, and drive sustainable development in all 47 counties.