Kenya’s economic performance has come under renewed scrutiny following a mixed scorecard published by Daily Nation on Thursday, April 30.
The report highlights a slowdown in growth during President William Ruto’s first three years in office, compared to his predecessors.
According to the data, Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth has declined from 5.7 percent in 2023 to 4.6 percent in 2025.
This trend places the current administration behind the early economic performance recorded under former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Mwai Kibaki.
During his first three years, Kenyatta maintained relatively stable growth rates, averaging above 5 percent. Kibaki, on the other hand, oversaw a steady rise from 2.9 percent to 5.8 percent, reflecting a period of strong post-crisis recovery and economic expansion.
The report also points to declining economic productivity under the current administration. Real wage growth and overall output indicators suggest that Kenya’s economy is expanding at a slower pace, even as cost-of-living pressures remain high.
Analysts note that while growth has not stalled entirely, the downward trajectory raises concerns about long-term sustainability.
On employment, the data shows that most new jobs under Ruto were created in his first year, mirroring trends seen during Kibaki’s tenure.
However, job creation has since slowed, with figures yet to match the peak levels recorded during Kenyatta’s third year in office.
Additional insights from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicate that real average wages have improved marginally, but not at a rate sufficient to offset inflationary pressures facing households. This has contributed to reduced purchasing power among workers.
The findings are likely to fuel debate over policy direction, particularly on public spending, taxation, and investment priorities.
Economists argue that restoring higher growth will require targeted interventions to boost productivity, support key sectors, and stimulate job creation.