The launch of Kenya's Status of Inequality Report
The Government has officially welcomed the findings of Oxfam Kenya's Status of Inequality in Kenya 2025 Report, calling it a valuable tool that will strengthen ongoing efforts to build a fairer and more prosperous nation for all.
Speaking on behalf of Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki during the launch, Principal Secretary for State Department for Devolution Michael Loikenu Lenasalon praised the report for its honesty and its constructive contribution to national dialogue.
“We commend Oxfam for a report that is not only honest but constructive. The inequalities we condemn today are shaping the opportunities of tomorrow. If we fail to act, we risk locking nearly half of our future generation into a cycle of poverty from birth,” said PS Lenasalon.
While the report highlights stark disparities including wealth concentration among 125 individuals, persistent extreme poverty affecting 46% of Kenyans, and gaps in healthcare, wages and social protection, the Government views these findings as a call to action, not a verdict of failure.
PS Lenasalon affirmed that the Government will subject the report to a comprehensive inter-ministerial review, ensuring its recommendations feed into policy reforms under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The Office of the Deputy President announced three key commitments:
• A thorough inter-ministerial analysis of the report’s proposals
• Stronger partnerships with civil society, development partners and the private sector
• A renewed drive for a fairer, more progressive tax system that funds quality public services.
PS Lenasalon reiterated that BETA remains the Government’s blueprint for inclusive growth, anchored on universal healthcare, affordable housing, MSME support and strong social protection systems.
He closed with a powerful message of hope:
“Let this launch be remembered not for the stark truths it revealed, but for the collective resolve it ignited. Let us move forward as patriots committed to building a Kenya where every child has a fair chance and every citizen can live a dignified life.”