Kenya's economy is likely to remain relatively resilient in 2027 despite facing major downside risks if oil prices rise further, likely prompting Kenyan President William Ruto to forgo a new International Monetary Fund program before the August 2027 general elections in favor of election-related spending. On Oct. 20, President Ruto unveiled plans to exempt employees receiving less than 32,333 Kenyan shillings ($249) per month from income tax payments and to expand a national internship program to 50,000 young Kenyans from January 2027. The proposals come as Kenya has grappled with several external shocks since the outbreak of the Iran war, including high fuel prices, rising cereal prices fueled by expanding long-range strikes between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the ongoing El Nino event . The country also faces an emerging Ebola outbreak, with nine confirmed cases as of Oct. 27.