President William Ruto defended the proposed Vision 2060 national development framework, rejected criticism from opposition leaders, and urged Kenyans to help shape the country’s long-term future.
Speaking at ACK St Stephen’s Chepkoilel in Uasin Gishu County on Sunday, Ruto said Kenya needs a new development blueprint to build on Vision 2030. He noted that Kenya has experienced major constitutional and institutional changes since the current plan took shape.
“Last week I said we have an opportunity to have a conversation to plan for the country. Mwai Kibaki planned Vision 2030. We must have a vision, and we have enough reasons to have that discussion,” Ruto said.
Ruto added that Vision 2030 emerged before the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, arguing that the time has come to align the development agenda with the constitutional order.
“Vision 2030 was developed before we had a new Constitution. Now we have a new Constitution. We have operationalized all sections of the Constitution. Now we must operationalize the development chapter, and it cannot be done in darkness. People must come out and give their views,” he said.
The President urged leaders and citizens to join the national conversation, saying the country must build a future that helps millions of Kenyans escape poverty.
“I want to encourage all of us as leaders, as citizens; it is time as a nation to agree on where Kenyans must be in this generation. We cannot be a country where the majority lives in poverty. We must make sure Kenya becomes a wealthy and prosperous nation,” he said.
Ruto also appeared to respond to critics who oppose some of his flagship programmes, including affordable housing and universal health coverage.
“There are leaders who have problems with me because I want to build affordable houses to get people out of slums and provide universal health coverage. The Constitution does not envisage a poor country,” he said.
The Head of State questioned why anyone would resist a public discussion on Kenya’s future.
“There are people who think Kenyans should remain poor. The Constitution envisages a democratic and wealthy nation. So I ask myself, why does anybody have a problem with us sitting together as a nation?” he posed.
Ruto insisted that the proposed Vision 2060 process will not serve political interests. He said the exercise will center on Kenya’s future, not the next General Election.
“If you do not have a vision, millions of Kenyans have. It is not going to be a conversation about leaders, political parties or 2027, but the future of the country, and we will put it in law. The 2027 elections will come, but for now let us plan how the country will move forward,” he said.
The President also announced that public consultations for Vision 2060 will begin on August 12.
“The conversation starts on August 12. Everybody with ideas and plans will have an opportunity to share,” he said.
