President William Ruto has showered praise on Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, crediting him with steering key fiscal reforms and saying the former opposition lawmaker will feature prominently in a book he hopes to write one day.
Speaking at State House in Nairobi during the signing of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill into law, the President hailed Mbadi’s leadership at the National Treasury and described it as exceptional.
“Today, John Mbadi, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, is providing leadership that has never been witnessed,” Ruto said.
“I can confirm to you, John, that when I write my book, you will have ample space on what you and I have discussed, and your team at the Treasury, including all the other actors that have taken this to the future.”
The remarks underscored the close working relationship that has emerged between the President and Mbadi, who previously served as a senior opposition figure before joining Ruto’s broad-based government.
Ruto also praised Members of Parliament for what he described as rare bipartisan cooperation in passing key fiscal measures.
He singled out the Leader of the Majority, the Finance Committee and lawmakers from across the political divide, saying they worked late into the night to reach consensus.
“I remember on Wednesday last week, I was out of the country attending my daughter’s graduation, and discussions in Parliament went up to midnight,” he said.
“There were consultations outside the official space in Parliament, and finally Parliament came together in a very bipartisan way and said, ‘We must move the country forward.'”
The President made the remarks as he assented to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, a law that creates the legal framework for a national fund aimed at strengthening Kenya’s long-term financial stability.
The fund is designed to save surplus public resources, support strategic investments and provide a financial cushion during economic shocks. It also separates resources into dedicated accounts for future generations, economic stabilisation and infrastructure development.
The government says the new framework will promote disciplined management of public finances while helping safeguard national wealth for the long term.
About the Author
