By:Betty Luke
President William Ruto has announced plans to develop a new long-term national development framework to replace Vision 2030, saying Kenya must chart a fresh course after failing to meet its ambition of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by the end of the decade.
Speaking during his State of the Nation Address at State House on Thursday, the President said the country had reached a critical moment that called for honest reflection on its development journey and a renewed commitment to shaping Kenya’s future through a broad national consensus.
Ruto acknowledged that Vision 2030 had provided a strong policy framework for nearly two decades by guiding government planning and investment. However, he said the strategy was nearing the end of its lifespan, making it necessary to formulate a new National Development Charter aligned with the aspirations of the 2010 Constitution.
According to the President, the process of developing the next national blueprint must extend beyond political interests and electoral cycles, allowing citizens to collectively define the country’s development priorities for future generations.
Ruto observed that while several Asian countries had transformed their economies through industrialisation, export-led growth, investment and economic reforms, Kenya had not capitalised on similar opportunities despite starting from a comparable position.
The President said Kenya must candidly assess the reasons other nations had advanced more rapidly and determine what policy changes and reforms are required to deliver a different development outcome in the coming decades.
Despite acknowledging the country’s missed opportunities, Ruto maintained that his administration had laid a solid foundation for future economic growth by restoring macroeconomic stability.
He pointed to lower inflation, stronger foreign exchange reserves, declining borrowing costs and improved investor confidence as indicators of progress.
He also said Kenya attracted about US$3.2 billion in foreign direct investment in 2025, more than double the amount recorded in 2022.
The President further highlighted the creation of the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund, saying the institutions were designed to finance strategic investments and safeguard national wealth for future generations while ensuring continuity beyond individual administrations.
Ruto said the country’s next phase of development would focus on delivering the economic and social rights guaranteed under the Constitution, including quality healthcare, affordable housing, education, food security, clean water and social protection.
He argued that development was not merely a government policy choice but a constitutional obligation that should improve the lives of all Kenyans.