How Much Debt Has President Ruto Borrowed Compared to Uhuru and Kibaki?

Kenya's debt situation has taken a troubling turn under President William Ruto's leadership.

Kenya’s debt situation has taken a sharp turn under President William Ruto, raising concerns about the country’s financial future. But how does his borrowing compare to that of former Presidents Mwai Kibaki (2002-2013) and Uhuru Kenyatta (2013-2022)? Let’s break it down.

Mwai Kibaki (2002-2013): The Careful Borrower

When Kibaki took office in 2002, Kenya’s public debt was significant but under control. 

By the time Kibaki's term as president ended in 2013, the public debt stood at KSh 1.89 trillion. His government focused on funding projects using domestic revenue, borrowing cautiously, and directing loans toward projects that would generate economic returns. 

As a result, Kenya’s debt remained stable and manageable during his tenure. It is for this reason that many Kenyan's applaud him saying that he is the best President Kenya ever had and will ever have. 

Uhuru Kenyatta (2013-2022): The Big Spender

Uhuru inherited KSh 1.89 trillion in public debt in 2013 from Kenya's best president Emilio Stanley Mwai Kibaki.

Over his ten years in office, borrowing shot up dramatically, hitting KSh 8.56 trillion by September 2022. Subtracting Kibaki's 1.89 from Uhuru's 8.56, you'll realize that Uhuru-the spender increased the debt by  KSh 6.67 trillion. 

Most of this borrowing went into massive infrastructure projects like roads and railways. While these were meant to boost economic growth, they also left the country with a heavy debt burden.

William Ruto (2022-2025): A Shocking Debt Spike

Ruto’s first year in office has seen an alarming rise in borrowing. 

While campaigning for the presidency seat, he often complained that Uhuru was incompetent and that is the reason for the rising public debt. He promised that he will reduce borrowing and even help Kenya pay its debt. However, as its been norm, it was a BIG LIE. 

Interested? Check out William Ruto's Networth in 2025

Between September 2022 and September 2023, Kenya’s debt jumped from KSh 8.56 trillion to KSh 10.59 trillion—an increase of KSh 2.03 trillion in just one year. To put it in perspective, Ruto’s government borrowed nearly 30% of what Uhuru borrowed in a decade, all within 12 months.

What This Means for Kenya

This rapid debt accumulation comes with serious consequences:

• Higher Debt Payments: More borrowing means more money is spent on repaying loans instead of essential services like healthcare and education. In just three months (July-Sept 2023), Kenya paid KSh 154.85 billion on external debt servicing alone.

• Economic Vulnerability: Heavy reliance on loans—especially from foreign lenders—exposes Kenya to risks like exchange rate fluctuations and rising interest rates.

• Fiscal Uncertainty: With the debt ceiling already surpassed and tax collections falling short, Kenya risks a financial crisis if borrowing continues unchecked.

The Bottom Line

Borrowing isn’t necessarily bad—if used wisely. But Ruto’s rapid debt accumulation raises major red flags. The government needs to slow down, focus on sustainable projects, and ensure Kenya doesn’t sink deeper into a debt trap. Otherwise, the country’s economic future could be in serious trouble.