KICC, NAIROBI, August 2026-President William Ruto has announced plans to entrench Kenya’s next development blueprint in the Constitution, saying the new framework will outlast political cycles and guarantee shared prosperity for all Kenyans.
Speaking during the National Conversation on “Beyond Vision 2030” at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 12th, the President said the charter will provide long-term direction for the country after the current Vision 2030 expires.
“Once anchored in the Constitution, this will become a long-term National Development Charter that transcends electoral cycles and political administrations to deliver shared prosperity for all Kenyans,” Dr Ruto said.
He noted that Vision 2030, launched in 2008 by the late President Mwai Kibaki, had delivered major gains across sectors.
“Across the country, we have witnessed the transformation of our infrastructure and the delivery of landmark projects, including the Lamu Port, the Isiolo-Moyale road, and the Nairobi Expressway, among others,” he said.
“These achievements have expanded opportunity, strengthened connectivity and laid a strong foundation for our nation’s future.”
With Vision 2030 nearing its end, the President said the conversation in Nairobi marks the start of defining Kenya’s next phase.
“This is not simply a question about another plan or another set of targets. It is an invitation to imagine, together, the Kenya we want to become not only in the next decade, but also deep into the future,” he stated.
According to Dr Ruto, the defining feature of the new agenda must be public ownership.
“The defining character of this new endeavour must be that it is citizen-led and people-centred. It must draw its ambition, ideas and aspirations from the people of Kenya,” he said.
He emphasized that government’s role will be limited to enabling the process.
“Government will not prescribe this vision. Instead, it will only play a facilitative role, creating the space, platforms and institutions through which Kenyans can shape the future they desire,” the President said.
Dr Ruto said the charter will be rooted in the Constitution, which already guarantees rights and public goods.
“The foundation has already been laid by our Constitution. It not only speaks to democracy, freedom, the rule of law and strong institutions, but it also guarantees the highest attainable standard of healthcare, education, housing, food, water, social security and human dignity,” he said.
He called for broad participation from all sectors of society to define what national standards should look like.
“The ideas must come from Kenyans from all walks of life – young people, workers, young professionals, business, religious communities and civil society, among others. Everyone has a contribution to make,” he noted.
“The national conversation on Kenya’s transformation agenda beyond 2030 that we are unveiling today must be a people-driven, people-centred dialogue. It is an opportunity for every citizen to help define the future of Kenya they envision.”
The President specially thanked the team of scholars leading the process, chaired by Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and Prof Hiroyuki Hino, for providing the intellectual groundwork for the talks.
The National Conversation is expected to run in the coming months and feed into the drafting of the constitutional charter that will guide Kenya’s development beyond 2030.
