President William Ruto has listed four reasons why Kenya must begin crafting a new long-term national development plan, arguing that the country can no longer rely solely on Vision 2030 as it nears its end.
Speaking during the launch of consultations for a new national vision on August 12 at the State House, Ruto said Kenya needs to start thinking beyond 2030 and focus on the kind of country future generations want to inherit.
He said the process should involve all Kenyans and not be left to government officials and technocrats alone.
Ruto’s Four Main Reasons
The President’s first reason was that Vision 2030 is approaching its end while the country’s next Medium-Term Plan will run from 2027 to 2032.
He said Kenya requires a longer-term framework that will guide development beyond 2030 and provide direction for future planning.
His second reason was that the world has changed significantly since Vision 2030 was developed more than two decades ago.
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According to Ruto, issues such as artificial intelligence, rapid technological advancement, and climate change have transformed the global landscape and require fresh thinking on development priorities.
“It is important that at this point in time, we give ourselves another opportunity to think about the long-term development of Kenya in the context of the world that we live in today,” Ruto stated.
A New Development Framework
Ruto’s third reason focused on the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which he said provides a stronger framework for public participation than existed when Vision 2030 was formulated.
He noted that many Kenyans do not closely identify with Vision 2030 because there was limited public participation during its formulation. The President said the Constitution now makes public participation mandatory, creating an opportunity for citizens to directly shape the country’s future direction.
The proposed vision, he said, should not be seen as a government project but as a people’s project, with contributions expected from farmers, entrepreneurs, students, professionals and other members of society.
In addition, Ruto urged Kenyans to take part in the discussions and share their views on the future they want for the country. He said no individual or institution has a monopoly of knowledge and that every citizen should have an opportunity to contribute ideas to the national conversation.
The President added that he would also participate in the discussions not only as Head of State but as a citizen with aspirations for the future of Kenya.
“This is not a government project. This is a people’s project,” Ruto said.
Kenya Beyond Elections
The fourth reason advanced by Ruto was the changing position of Africa in the global economy.
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He said the center of global growth is steadily moving towards Africa because the continent has some of the world’s largest renewable energy resources, the youngest population, an expanding consumer market and vast reserves of uncultivated arable land.
According to the President, these factors present a major opportunity for Kenya to position itself as a key player in the continent’s future growth and development.
He said that is why the country must think carefully about its long-term goals and ambitions.
Ruto also used the occasion to urge Kenyans to look beyond political competition and election cycles when discussing the country’s future.
He said many development targets have not been achieved because leaders often focus on the next election rather than the next generation.
The President acknowledged that leaders frequently face pressure to make decisions based on political considerations instead of long-term national interests.
While some people have suggested that such discussions should wait because the country is entering a politically charged period, Ruto insisted that Kenya’s future is more important than electoral contests.
“The next election will come and go. Kenya must think beyond the next election. Kenya must think for the next generation,” he said.
The President maintained that the planned consultations offer Kenyans a chance to collectively imagine the country’s future and develop a long-term vision that reflects current realities, constitutional principles and emerging global opportunities.
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