'We must think beyond elections,' Ruto defends early launch of vision 2060 plan

According to the Head of State, his plan is focused on creating a blueprint that will safeguard the nation's future generation long after he leaves office.

Speaking during the Beyond 2030 Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, he maintained that censure from critics will not deter him from forging policies he believes will significantly benefit Kenya’s future.

“We have been thinking about the next election instead of the next generation, and that has been the problem”, he said.

“Even as a leader, you are told this will affect your next election; don’t do it. Many are telling me leave this thing until after the next election. I am telling them Kenya must think beyond the election and think about the next generation.”

He asserted that his administration has remained keen on upholding an all-inclusive development approach, one that fully wipes out inequality.

“To the people of Kenya, nobody has the monopoly of ideas. Beyond 2030 is our collective responsibility. Let us bring the cocktail of ideas and have a plan for the future of Kenya. Let us not abdicate. Let us not run away from that conversation,” he noted.

On July 30, President Ruto launched the process of developing Vision 2060, which is expected to succeed Vision 2030 as Kenya’s long-term development blueprint.

The government says the framework will be developed through nationwide consultations, bringing together the private sector, academia, civil society, faith-based organisations, professional bodies, workers, creatives and young people.

The move has, however, come under sharp criticism, as top opposition figure Rigathi Gachagua has questioned the value of a decades-long development plan while Kenyans grapple with dire economic and security concerns.