President William Ruto has claimed vindication for his controversial economic shock therapy, declaring that Kenya has risen to become the sixth-largest economy in Africa. Speaking at State House, Nairobi, the Head of State cited fresh data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to show that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has expanded to $136 billion (approx. Ksh 17.6 trillion).

The ascent from the 8th position three years ago is a significant milestone, but it has come at a steep political and social cost. Ruto, who has faced street protests and criticism over high taxes, argued that the alternative was a total economic collapse akin to what has been witnessed in other African nations.

The Fruit of "Painful Decisions"

"Three years ago, we were ranked 8th with a GDP of $115 billion," Ruto told the gathered security chiefs. "Today, we are 6th. This steep rise is not accidental; it is the product of deliberate choices."

The President listed the removal of fuel subsidies, the aggressive tightening of the tax net, and the successful buyback of the Eurobond as the "bitter pills" that cured the patient. He revealed that foreign exchange reserves, which had dwindled to a perilous $5.7 billion, have now rebounded to a historic high of $12.1 billion.

• Debt Management: The President emphasized that Kenya avoided a sovereign default—a fate that befell countries like Ghana and Zambia—by biting the bullet on debt repayment.
• Inflation Tamed: Ruto pointed to the drop in inflation from 9.6% to 4.6% as proof that the macroeconomic stability is returning, even if the "wananchi" are yet to fully feel the relief in their pockets.
• The Exchange Rate: The shilling, which had freefallen to 167 against the dollar, has strengthened to the 129 level, reducing the cost of imports and debt servicing.

The Reality Check

While the macro numbers look rosy in the boardroom, the challenge for Ruto remains translating these billions of dollars into cheaper unga and jobs for the youth. Being the 6th largest economy is a point of pride, but for the average Kenyan, the true measure of success is the price of goods on the shelf.