Moses Kuria, a former senior economic adviser in the office of the President and former Trade Cabinet Secretary, has reflected on his 30-month tenure in President William Ruto's government, highlighting key achievements and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve.

In a statement released on Tuesday titled “I Tried My Best in the 30 Months I Served,” Kuria detailed efforts made in job creation, industrialisation, climate action and public service reforms.

Kuria highlighted the establishment of 13 County Aggregation and Industrial Parks, which are expected to start employing people, mainly Gen Z, in 2025. 

He further noted that another 18 parks will come online in 2026, with the remaining 16 counties expected to join by 2027. 

“I did my best,” he stated.

He lamented that before these developments, 35 out of 47 counties had never experienced industrialisation. 

“This makes my heart bleed. I did my best,” Kuria said, linking youth unemployment to the lack of production and overreliance on imports.

Highlighting strides in economic zones, Kuria said:

“I am proud that in 2026 doors will open in new Zones in Vipingo Kilifi, Dongo Kundu in Mombasa, Naivasha, Eldoret, Busia, Sagana and Muranga.” 

He also celebrated the licensing of the first Services Only Free Zone at the Two Rivers International Financial Centre, which is now active with investors.

On international trade, Kuria stated that he broke a seven-year deadlock with the European Union to conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement in just seven months.

He also noted that Kenya became the only country outside India to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE.

Efforts to boost public service accountability were also a key part of his legacy, he said. 

“I tried to instil a sense of accountability and productivity among those lucky enough to be paid a salary by the taxpayer. It is still a work in progress; a daunting, long journey, but I did my best,” Kuria said.

He spoke about climate action, recounting his role in the groundbreaking of the Global Centre for Adaptation at the Kenya School of Government. 

“It was a culmination of a big push that I started from my first site visit on November 6, 2023. I did my best,” he stated.

Kuria also highlighted reforms in the National Youth Service (NYS), where recruitment in 2024 was done through a ward-based allocation formula. 

“My time there was cut short before I could achieve this, but I did my best,” he added.

Reflecting on his work with the Council of Economic Advisors during the transition into the Taifacare healthcare programme, Kuria said he worked as if “there was no tomorrow” to stabilise it. 

“We still have a long way to go to make Taifacare work perfectly, but I did my best.”

On job creation, Kuria revealed he created a joint platform, Ajira 360, to coordinate agencies involved in employment. 

“Creating Jobs for young people, especially Gen Zs, started as a commitment but ended up as an obsession,” he said.

“In the 30 months that you, my countrymen and women, gave me that opportunity and graciously paid my salary, I did my best,” Kuria stated.