Ruto Sets 10-Year Target to Transform Kenya Into an Upper Middle-Income Economy

Kenya should set its sights on becoming an upper-middle-income economy within the next 10 years instead of settling for slow progress, President William Ruto has said, arguing that the country has what it takes to achieve rapid economic transformation.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Monday during a meeting with members of the Friends Church (Quakers), the President said Kenya must adopt a long-term national development plan that goes beyond political terms if it hopes to compete with the world’s leading economies.

Ruto said that many countries with Kenya’s economic status in the 1960s have since made remarkable progress because they remained committed to clear national goals. He pointed to South Korea and China as examples of countries that overtook Kenya after investing heavily in industrialisation, education, infrastructure and long-term planning.

He said Kenya should learn from those success stories rather than accept slow economic growth as normal. According to the President, the country’s future depends on having a shared national vision that remains in place regardless of changes in government.

The Head of State proposed that such a vision be developed through an inclusive national conversation similar to the public consultations that produced the Constitution of 2010. He said involving citizens from across the country would help create a development agenda that every administration would be expected to pursue.

Ruto maintained that his government has already begun laying the foundation for that future through reforms in key sectors including housing, healthcare, education and agriculture.

He said the Affordable Housing Programme is creating employment while addressing the country’s housing deficit, adding that investments in markets, roads and other infrastructure are improving the business environment and opening up more economic opportunities.

The President also defended reforms in the education sector, including the new university funding model and the continued recruitment of teachers. He noted that the government has employed more than 100,000 teachers and plans to recruit another 20,000 this year to improve learning in public schools.

Ruto on healthcare

On healthcare, Ruto said reforms are aimed at ensuring more Kenyans can access quality and affordable medical services while reducing the financial burden of treatment on households.

The President further said agriculture remains central to his administration’s economic strategy, noting that increasing food production will not only strengthen food security but also boost exports and create jobs across the value chain.

Kenya’s economy has faced significant pressure in recent years due to high public debt, rising living costs, global economic shocks and climate-related challenges. However, recent months have seen inflation ease, the shilling stabilise and foreign exchange reserves improve, developments the government says reflect the impact of ongoing economic reforms.

Ruto said those gains should now be used as a stepping stone towards a more ambitious national goal of creating a prosperous economy capable of providing opportunities for millions of young people entering the job market every year.

“We have fixed the economy. We have expanded programmes in health, housing and education, among others, and it is time as Kenyans to plan a better destiny for our country,” he said.

The President also shifted his attention to the country’s political future, urging Kenyans to scrutinise leaders based on what they have delivered rather than what they promise during campaigns.

With the 2027 General Election drawing closer, he said voters should demand evidence of development projects, effective service delivery and practical policy proposals before electing leaders.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi echoed the President’s remarks, urging Kenyans to reject tribal politics and instead support leaders who promote national unity and inclusive development.

Church leaders present at the meeting also called for peace and responsible leadership, expressing concern over the growing use of violence and youth in political activities. They urged politicians to avoid actions that divide the country and instead focus on building a stable environment that supports economic growth and national development.