Ruto Announces Plan to Legally Protect Kenya’s Post-Vision 2030 Development Agenda

President William Ruto has announced intentions to introduce legislation that will anchor Kenya’s long-term development agenda in law, saying the country must move beyond politics and electoral cycles in planning for its future.

Speaking during a church service at ACK St. Stephen’s Chepkoilel Church in Uasin Gishu County on Sunday, August 2, the President said the proposed legal framework would ensure that successive governments remain committed to a common national development agenda.

“That is the conversation we will have as a nation. It will not be about leaders or political parties, but about the future of our country and how we can collectively drive that vision. We will also introduce legislation to ensure Kenya’s development is planned and guided by law,” Ruto said.

According to the Head of State, the government’s recent calls for a national dialogue to shape Kenya’s future would primarily focus on the country’s long-term aspirations, rather than political competition or the 2027 General Election. 

He added, “We are going to discuss the future of our nation. The Constitution envisages a country based on the rule of law, that believes in human rights and a healthy nation. Article 43 speaks about decent housing, high standards of health and quality education. The Constitution talks about a country whose development is sustainable,” Ruto said.

Ruto said Vision 2030 was developed before Kenya adopted the 2010 Constitution, adding that the country’s next long-term development plan should reflect the current constitutional framework.

The President noted that while Kenya has successfully implemented constitutional chapters dealing with governance, elections, political parties and human rights, the country must now turn its attention to implementing the Constitution’s development agenda.

“The Vision 2030 that we have was prepared before the referendum. We now have a new Constitution. We have operationalised all chapters of our Constitution, including laws on political parties, elections and human rights. It is now time to operationalise the chapter on development.”

“This is why I said it cannot be done in secret. Residents themselves will come and tell us how they want development to happen in line with the Constitution,” he said.

Further, the president dismissed criticism over the timing of the initiative, reiterating that the planning of the country’s future should not be pushed back because of the election calendar year. 

Ruto first unveiled the proposal during his special national address on Thursday, July 30, when he announced the launch of a national conversation on Kenya’s future beyond Vision 2030. 

The exercise is expected to culminate in the official launch of the National Conversation on Kenya’s Future Beyond Vision 2030 on August 12, bringing together government, the private sector, experts, civil society and citizens to develop a long-term development blueprint for the country.