By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 22 December 2025 - President William Ruto has declared that Kenya’s path to economic and social renewal is firmly on course, insisting that the changes underway are permanent and designed to uplift ordinary citizens.
Speaking at the Baringo Cultural Festival and the annual Kimalel Goat Auction, the President framed development not as a distant promise but as a lived reality taking shape in villages, markets and households across the country.
He said his administration is rebuilding the economy from the grassroots, with a focus on opportunity, dignity and inclusion.
“Our responsibility is to take charge of our destiny and ensure that every Kenyan, regardless of where they live, is part of this journey,” Ruto told residents.
He pointed to renewed investment in agriculture, saying reforms are strengthening food security while improving incomes for farmers and pastoralists.
The Kimalel Goat Auction itself offered a snapshot of that transformation.
This year’s event, expected to trade more than 4,200 goats, made history by introducing digital participation for the first time since it was founded in 1992.
Buyers were able to place bids remotely, a shift that organisers say will cut costs, expand markets and deliver better returns to local farmers.
More from Kenya
Beyond commerce, the festival doubled as a celebration of Baringo’s cultural identity, with colourful boat races on Lake Baringo featuring traditional rafts, known as Kaldich, alongside motorboats. For many residents, the gathering remains a symbol of unity, heritage and shared progress.
The goat auction was launched by the late President Daniel arap Moi to give pastoral communities a reliable marketplace.
Over the decades, livestock sales from Kimalel have helped families educate their children, withstand drought and build sustainable livelihoods.
President Ruto also highlighted national projects he said are reshaping lives, including the Affordable Housing Programme, which he noted has created more than 500,000 jobs for young people while restoring dignity to thousands of families.
He cited major infrastructure developments such as the 60,000-seat Talanta Sports City Stadium and the Bomas International Convention Complex, due for completion in 2026, as signs of Kenya’s growing global ambition.
“We are keeping our word,” Ruto said.
“Kenya is moving forward decisively. This transformation is inevitable, irreversible and unstoppable.”
