In his State of the Nation Address to Parliament on Thursday, President William Ruto offered a bright image of Kenya‘s situation, emphasizing progress in food security.
President Ruto highlighted several milestones in food production, which is one of his administration’s primary priorities.While some of the percentages he claimed were compatible with official data, others were inconsistent with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ (KNBS) 2024 Economic Survey Report, the official government data source.
Here’s a fact-check for his claims:
Milk Production
President Ruto’s Claim: Production increased from 4.8 billion litres in 2022 to 7.2 billion litres in 2023.KNBS: Production stood at 4.6 billion litres in 2022 and 4.56 billion litres in 2023.Verdict: Inconsistent
Coffee Production
Claim: Coffee production in 2023 was 48,000 metric tonnes.KNBS Data: Recorded production was 48,700 metric tonnes.Verdict: Consistent
Claim: The country is on track to increase coffee exports. KNBS Data: Production declined from 51,900 metric tonnes in 2022 to 48,700 metric tonnes in 2023. Fact: Coffee production is on the decline.Verdict: Inconsistent.
Sugar Production Claim: July 2024 production reached 84,000 metric tonnes. Sugar Directorate Data: Production was 84,042 metric tonnes.Verdict: Consistent Claim: July 2024 sugar production surpassed the national monthly demand of 40,000 metric tonnes. Fact: Sugar sales in July 2024 were 83,121 metric tonnes.
However, the government’s annual sugar demand estimate is 1.1 million metric tonnes, averaging 91,000 metric tonnes per month.Verdict: Inconsistent
Maize Production
Claim: Kenya produced 47 million 90kg bags of maize in 2023. KNBS Data: The country produced 47.6 million bags in 2023.
Verdict: Consistent.
Wheat Stocks Claim: Wheat stocks totaled 10.4 million 90kg bags. KNBS Data: Wheat production in 2023 was 309,500 metric tonnes, equivalent to approximately 3.4 million 90kg bags.
Verdict: Intermediate.
