Kenya Minute.
Friday, 1 May 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 1 May 2026
Nairobi—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Organization

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics

Also known as: KNBS

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics — publishes economic surveys tracking health spending, inflation, GDP growth, and socioeconomic indicators.

Business

President Ruto defends Kenya's economy as growth slows to 4.6%

The News

Kenya's economy expanded by 4.6 per cent in 2025, marking a second consecutive year of slowing growth from 4.7 per cent in 2024 and 5.7 per cent in 2023, with GDP rising to Ksh.17.6 trillion. President Ruto has pushed back against criticism of the slowdown, citing improvements such as reduced fertilizer prices and teacher recruitment.

Why it matters

Slowing GDP growth to 4.6% and Ruto's defence of the economy's performance is significant macroeconomic news shaping the national conversation.

17 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 30 April

  1. President Ruto defends Kenya's economy as growth slows to 4.6%

    Kenya's economy expanded by 4.6 per cent in 2025, marking a second consecutive year of slowing growth from 4.7 per cent in 2024 and 5.7 per cent in 2023, with GDP rising to Ksh.17.6 trillion. President Ruto has pushed back against criticism of the slowdown, citing improvements such as reduced fertilizer prices and teacher recruitment.

    17 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  2. Kisumu women farmers lease land for off-season vegetable cultivation

    In Kisumu County, Irene Oloo and 29 other women from the Jasho Letu group lease a 4-acre plot during off-peak seasons to grow vegetables like African Night Shade, earning about Ksh5,000 per week before vacating for rice farmers during peak season.

    17 hours ago · Citizen Digital →

  3. Sifuna urges Kenyan workers to endure amid economic strain

    ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna marked Labour Day with a message encouraging Kenyan workers to remain resilient during economic challenges, adding a political call for the President to step down. The statement comes as Kenya's GDP growth slowed to 4.6 per cent in 2025 from 4.7 per cent in 2024, with agriculture and manufacturing sectors showing signs of strain.

    23 hours ago · Capital News →

  4. Wetang'ula backs Ruto's economy agenda amid slowing growth

    The Speaker of the National Assembly urged Kenyans to support President Ruto's development agenda, saying it has helped restore the economy. Kenya's real GDP expanded by 4.6 per cent in 2025, down from 4.7 per cent in 2024, with agriculture growing 2.8 per cent due to erratic weather and manufacturing showing signs of strain.

    1 May 2026 · Capital News →

  5. Kenya's rising health spending fails to improve nation's health outcomes

    Kenya remains unhealthy despite increased government investment in health services. According to the latest Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey 2026, national government health expenditure rose 22.8 per cent to Sh150.9 billion, while county governments' spending increased 23.3 per cent to Sh133.4 billion, amid facility expansion, rising demand for care, and shifting disease patterns.

    1 May 2026 · The Standard →

  6. Ruto announces 12% general wage rise, 15% for agriculture

    President William Ruto announced a 12 per cent increase in general wages and a 15 per cent increase in agricultural wages during Labour Day celebrations in Vihiga County. The announcement comes as the Central Organisation of Trade Unions had requested a 23 per cent wage increment.

    1 May 2026 · The Standard →

Yesterday

  1. Kenya's April inflation rises to 5.6% on food, fuel, transport

    Kenya's inflation rate increased to 5.6 per cent in April from 4.4 per cent in March, driven by higher prices in food and non-alcoholic beverages (8.8%), transport (10.0%), and housing/utilities (2.4%). Gas prices rose 7.3%, matatu fares jumped 9.7% for inter-town travel, and tomatoes increased 9%, though electricity charges declined 0.6%.

    30 April 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Economic Survey contradicts Ruto's maize and sugar claims

    The 2026 Economic Survey disputes some of President Ruto's recent economic claims, particularly on maize production—which the survey shows rose only marginally to 45.8 million bags in 2025, contradicting the president's assertion of a projected 70 million bags. The survey also contradicts his claims on sugar production.

    29 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Women in monogamous marriages score higher on empowerment index

    A Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey 2026 shows that women in monogamous marriages recorded an empowerment level of 41.1 per cent on the Women's Economic Empowerment Index, compared to 37.6 per cent among women in cohabiting unions and 27.2 per cent in polygamous unions.

    29 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  3. Kenya's 'trash for cash' mindset threatens circular economy goals

    As Kenyans increasingly view waste as a commercial opportunity rather than refuse to discard, waste management sector stakeholders warn that expectations of payment for items like old clothes and electronics could undermine environmental programmes aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

    29 April 2026 · The Standard →

Kenya Minute