KENYA: Ruto Champions People-Centred Growth At World Social Development Summit

By Lapit Moses Punyuah, Nairobi Kenya 

President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to people-centred growth, telling world leaders at the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in Doha that the country’s transformation is anchored on empowering citizens through education, healthcare, housing, and economic inclusion.

Speaking during the summit, the President said Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is driving real progress, from hiring 76,000 new teachers and building 230,000 affordable housing units, to expanding health insurance coverage from 8 million to 27 million Kenyans.

He cited the Hustler Fund, which has disbursed KSh 80 billion to 26.7 million people, and the Inua Jamii Programme, which supports 1.7 million vulnerable families, as key examples of inclusive growth.

On youth empowerment, Ruto said the government is training one million young Kenyans in market-ready skills and creating digital jobs through innovation hubs and e-commerce platforms.

“Kenya’s development model puts people first, ensuring that no one is left behind,” said President Ruto.

The summit in Doha, Qatar, brought together global leaders to assess progress and renew commitments toward inclusive and sustainable socia

l development.