Kenya is laying the foundation for a new long-term national development road map aimed at driving the country’s transition into a first world economy.
Th new blueprint aims at replacing Vision 2030 strategy which is at its tail end.
President William Ruto on Tuesday received a proposal titled Developing a New Vision for Kenya: Towards a First World Nation, describing it as the beginning of a national conversation on the country’s future beyond Vision 2030.
The strategy, prepared by a team led by Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and Japanese scholar Hiroyuki Hino, argues that Kenya can achieve developed nation status within 30 to 40 years.
This will however be achieved if the country embraces policy consistency, strong institutions and sustained investment in productive sectors of the economy.
President Ruto said Kenya must move beyond short-term political cycles and adopt a shared national development agenda that survives changes in government.
“Development cannot be the project of one administration, nor should every election require us to abandon one national vision and begin another,” he said during the presentation at State House, Nairobi.
The President said Vision 2030 had provided the country with a shared direction for nearly two decades, but was approaching its conclusion, making it necessary to craft a successor capable of steering Kenya towards high-income status.
Launched in June, 2008 by the third President of Kenya, the late Mwai Kibaki, Kenya’s Vision 2030 was aimed at transforming the nation into a globally competitive, newly industrialising, upper middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens.
It was anchored on three key pillars of economic, social and political aspects, all supported by specific macroeconomic enablers.
Ruto yesterday said the government would study the recommendations under the new blue print, conduct wide consultations and engage stakeholders before unveiling the country’s next long-term development vision.
The report notes that although Kenya has made significant progress in infrastructure, education, financial inclusion and democratic governance since independence, it has failed to sustain growth long enough to achieve broad-based prosperity.
It argues that repeated political transitions, policy shifts and weak institutions have interrupted development, preventing the country from completing its economic transformation.
The experts say Kenya should draw lessons from countries such as South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Vietnam, which transformed from poor agrarian societies into industrialised economies through deliberate policies, capable public institutions and long-term political commitment.
According to the report, Kenya’s new development model should rest on three key pillars: transforming agriculture, accelerating industrialisation and building a technology and innovation-driven economy.
The strategy recommends increasing agricultural productivity through expanded irrigation, stronger agricultural research, climate-smart farming and improved extension services while linking farming to agro-processing industries.
It also proposes expanding manufacturing, promoting value addition and positioning Kenya as a regional production hub capable of producing competitive exports.
Technology, innovation and the knowledge economy are identified as the third pillar, with the report calling for increased investment in research institutions, universities, technical training and artificial intelligence to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
Beyond the economic pillars, the proposal recommends comprehensive reforms to strengthen governance, public service delivery and accountability.
It calls for the enactment of a National Development Law to anchor the country’s long-term vision in legislation and protect it from disruption after elections.
The report also proposes establishing a revitalised National Economic and Social Council to oversee implementation, coordinate policy and ensure continuity across successive administrations.
Other priorities include expanding world-class infrastructure, improving healthcare and education, strengthening urban planning, enhancing environmental sustainability and building financial systems capable of supporting productive investment.
President Ruto said several institutions required to support the transformation had already been established, including the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund, both of which have now been anchored in law.
He said the funds would help finance strategic infrastructure while safeguarding national wealth for future generations.
The President challenged Kenyans to participate actively in shaping the country’s next development agenda, saying the vision could only succeed through broad national ownership.
“The next chapter of Kenya’s development cannot be written by government. It must be shaped by the collective wisdom, experience and participation of the people,” he said.
Governor Nyong’o, who chaired the working group, said successful nations do not become prosperous by accident but through sustained political commitment, strong institutions and disciplined implementation of development policies.
He said Kenya’s experience under Vision 2030 had demonstrated both the country’s potential and the dangers of abandoning long-term priorities whenever governments change.
If adopted, the proposed vision will guide Kenya’s development beyond 2030 and shape the country’s economic, social and institutional priorities for the next four decades.
