President Ruto has announced that Kenya will begin a nationwide conversation on the country’s long-term development beyond Vision 2030, describing the initiative as the first comprehensive national reflection and public participation exercise on a future development blueprint since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
In a televised address to the nation on Thursday evening, President Ruto said the dialogue, scheduled to officially commence on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, will seek to develop a citizen-driven vision that guides Kenya’s development for generations beyond the lifespan of Vision 2030.
The Head of State said the new roadmap must be shaped by the aspirations, experiences, creativity and collective wisdom of Kenyans while embracing global practices to position the country for long-term prosperity.
“Kenya’s future cannot be anchored solely on government policy documents. It must be founded on a people-driven, citizen-centred and forwar-looking national agenda that reflects the aspirations of every Kenyan,” President Ruto said.
Vision 2030 Has Delivered Progress but Challenges Remain
While acknowledging the significant milestones achieved under Vision 2030 over the last two decades, President Ruto admitted that several of its key objectives remain unmet.
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He said the blueprint had successfully transformed Kenya’s approach to development by providing a long-term policy direction, attracting investments and guiding national planning, but noted that the country still faces challenges in meeting some of its original ambitions.
“Vision 2030 has brought us this far, but it is approaching its horizon. It transformed the way we think about national development, inspired investment and guided public policy. However, honesty requires us to acknowledge that some of its ambitions remain unattained, and in several respects we are still falling short of the standards we set for ourselves,” he said.
The President specifically pointed to the target of transforming Kenya into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, admitting that the country remains off course.
“Vision 2030 set a target of Kenya becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030. So far, we are off target. This is not a criticism of Vision 2030, nor is it a reason for disappointment,” he noted.
National Dialogue to Shape Kenya’s Next Development Blueprint
President Ruto said the next phase of Kenya’s development journey will focus on translating the aspirations of the Constitution into a practical, inclusive and sustainable long-term agenda.
He described the upcoming consultations as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Kenyans to define the country’s development priorities and establish a shared national vision capable of transcending political administrations and election cycles.
“National development must never be left to chance or short-term politics. It must be guided by a shared national vision that endures beyond administrations and election cycles,” he said.
According to the President, the process will involve extensive public participation to ensure every Kenyan has an opportunity to contribute to shaping the country’s future.
Experts Already Submitted Proposals
President Ruto disclosed that he has already received strategic proposals from several experts that will serve as the foundation for the national consultations.
Among those who contributed recommendations are Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and Japanese scholar Prof. Hiroyuki Hino, alongside other development experts.
However, he stressed that ownership of the process now rests with the Kenyan people.
“The conversation no longer belongs to the government or those who prepared the proposals. It belongs to every Kenyan,” he said.
Future Generations at the Centre
In his concluding remarks, President Ruto urged Kenyans to view the exercise as an opportunity to shape the country’s future for generations yet to come.
“Somewhere in Kenya tonight is a child too young to understand this address. Some may never remember Vision 2030. Others may never remember this conversation. But they will live in the Kenya we choose to build. That is why this landmark national conversation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It is about all of us and the generations that will inherit the Republic we leave behind,” the President said.
He added that Kenya now has a unique opportunity to create a lasting national development charter that transforms constitutional aspirations into measurable progress and sustainable national transformation.
