'What happened to Vision 2030?': Ruto questioned over new 30-year plan to change Kenya

President William Ruto’s announcement of a new long-term plan, which aims to transform Kenya into a First World nation within the next 30 years, has been put to question amid the risk of abandoning the nation’s Vision 2030.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s DayBreak show on Monday, Former Nyeri Town Member of Parliament (MP) Ngunjiri Wambugu said President Ruto’s latest remarks may sound inspiring, but appear to cripple the country’s progress on Vision 2030.

“Sauti Sol’s song Tujiangalie is as true today as it was seven years ago. The country is not getting any better,” Wambugu said.

“Ruto’s remarks about Kenya becoming a ‘First World’ nation by 2055 are meant to give Kenyans’ hope, but what happened to Vision 2030?”

President Ruto unveiled his long-term plan during the 70th anniversary of the Africa Inland Church Ziwani in Nairobi County on Sunday.

He said he had engaged leaders across the political divide, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and KANU Chairman Gideon Moi in a bid to unite the country and rally support in transforming Kenya from Third World status to the First World by 2055.

“I will continue to engage all leaders so that we can make Kenya a First World. It is possible,” he said.

The announcement has, however, left many Kenyans wondering whether Vision 2030, launched in 2008 under then-President Mwai Kibaki as a roadmap to raise the average standard of living to middle-income, has been abandoned.

Wambugu also emphasized that many national conversations serve politicians’ ambitions rather than the needs of ordinary citizens.

“My personal view is that anytime we discuss these things, we need to differentiate between the interests of leaders and Kenyans,” he said.

“When you think about what carries us forward as Kenyans, we tend to focus on politicians’ discussions. For example, just thinking about how we are all focused towards 2027, that is not the interest of Kenyans but politicians.”

He criticized leaders who push the 2027 elections narrative, saying that they are only positioning themselves for power rather than serving the people.

“The next election seems to serve the interests of politicians, not ordinary Kenyans. Those insisting that we should focus on 2027 are seeking to exchange places with the current government, but people can't wait that long for real change,” he remarked.

“The challenges, such as education, healthcare, and water, are the situation that ordinary Kenyans want to be fixed now and not until 2027.”

He added that as politicians shift blame, most Kenyans just want basic needs to function. “People don’t care who is in charge,” he said. “They just wish healthcare and education were working.”

Speaking in the same interview, former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi criticized President Ruto for lacking focus on the core responsibilities of his office.  

“President Ruto has shown a failure to comprehend his responsibilities as Head of State,” Havi said.

“His engagements must be purposeful for the benefit of the people of Kenya. How does any engagement with Gideon Moi improve the education problem, the almost-collapsed healthcare system, and guarantee employment to about 15 million unemployed youth?”