Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi speaking in Kisumu on September 13, 2026./PCS
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended President William Ruto’s economic record, saying his administration has given greater attention to regions that have historically been left behind in development.
Speaking in Kisumu on Sunday during Ruto’s tour of Nyanza, Mbadi said the region had for decades received inadequate attention despite its significant contribution to the country.
Mbadi said Ruto had demonstrated a commitment to addressing the needs of marginalised regions, arguing that Nyanza was now receiving increased attention from the national government.
“You have put in your heart those regions and those areas which for a period of over 60 years have been forgotten in the development of this country,” Mbadi said.
One of those areas, Mbadi said, was northern Kenya and the Nyanza region.
“We are not a minority. We are the majority. We are many people in this country, but in terms of development, for some reasons, this region has been viewed and treated as if they don't belong. But we are seeing change with you.”
Mbadi also defended the government’s management of the economy, saying Kenya had been facing the risk of defaulting on its debt when Ruto took office in 2022.
He said the government had since taken measures to stabilise the economy, including managing the country’s liabilities and ensuring it met its debt obligations.
Mbadi defended the use of Article 223 of the Constitution to facilitate expenditure, saying the government had to act to meet obligations that had been left without adequate planning by the previous administration.
“If it calls for using Article 223 to repay our debts, I will do it today. I will do it tomorrow and I will do it the day after tomorrow,” he said.
He attributed the stability of the Kenya shilling to what he described as forward planning and prudent economic management.
“It is because we think ahead and plan ahead and prepare ourselves,” Mbadi said.
The Treasury CS also outlined several development initiatives in Nyanza, including increased funding for health facilities and infrastructure.
He said a long-standing Cabinet memo concerning the upgrading of a health facility in the region had remained unsigned for seven years before he took action after consulting the President.
Mbadi said the facility had subsequently been upgraded to Level Six status and would receive increased funding from the national government.
He said the national government would allocate Sh4 billion to support the upgraded facility and other health facilities, enabling residents to access specialised treatment closer to home.
“We have told them that many of you have been allocating to Level Six ... the national government will be allocating money, Sh4 billion, to make sure that our people get treated,” he said.
Mbadi further urged Nyanza residents to support development initiatives, saying the region’s progress would require cooperation between leaders and residents.
His remarks came as Ruto began a four-day tour of Nyanza, during which he is expected to inspect ongoing projects and announce new development initiatives across the region.
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko called for unity among leaders, saying political cooperation was necessary to advance development.
“We must stick together so that we can be one, have the strength to work together with other Kenyans, and pursue development together,” Ayacko said, calling for unity as the region engages with the national government.
