President Ruto Pushes for African Economic Self-Reliance and Appoints New Agency Heads - February 2026

President William Ruto urged African banks to finance the local pharmaceutical industry to enhance Africa's health security and independence from imported commodities. He also pushed for a shift from negotiating to fully implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to unlock its potential for Africa's 1.4 billion people. President Ruto emphasized the need for disciplined execution and sustained political leadership to drive intra-African trade. In a separate action, the President announced a new round of appointments and reappointments to various Kenyan state agencies. These leadership changes, detailed in the Kenya Gazette notice dated February 13, 2026, aim to reinforce leadership in key regulatory bodies.