State House, Nairobi-President William Ruto has invited citizens across the country to participate in a historic conversation to craft a new long-term National Development Charter as Kenya approaches the horizon of Vision 2030.
Speaking from State House, Nairobi, Dr Ruto emphasized that this initiative is neither a government project nor a political agenda, “but a collective national undertaking designed to fulfill the development imperatives of the 2010 Constitution and decide the future of the nation for generations to come.”
Reflecting on Kenya’s trajectory since independence, he noted that while the world has witnessed three great waves of industrialization and economic transformation, the country has yet to fully maximize its potential.
This, he recalled occurred during The First Wave (1960s–1980s) led by the East Asian Tigers, including South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
“In 1965, Kenya and South Korea each had a GDP per capita of approximately $110. Today, South Korea’s exceeds $36,000 a multiple of fifteen compared to Kenya’s $2,400,” Ruto observed.
In late 1970s, he added that The Second Wave was driven by China, alongside Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Mauritius.
“In 1980, when China began its economic reforms, its GDP per capita stood at roughly $200 compared to Kenya’s $450. China has since expanded past Kenya, reaching a GDP per capita exceeding $14,000 which is six times that of Kenya.”
Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, and Cape Verde spearheaded The Third Wave in early 1990s with Vietnam embarking on economic reforms.
“Its income per person was roughly half of Kenya’s. Today, Vietnam’s GDP per capita stands at approximately $5,000 more than double Kenya’s.”
President Ruto further highlighted that even closer to home, nations such as Ghana ($3,200) and Zimbabwe ($3,000) have posted GDP per capita figures that challenge Kenya.
“Its (wake up call for us) to evaluate what it must do differently to achieve sustainable growth, uphold human dignity, and make healthcare, quality education, housing, and food security measurable realities for every citizen.”
With restored economic stability, renewed investor confidence, and Kenya’s recognition in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking as Africa’s most competitive economy, the President stated that the country is now firmly positioned to launch its next phase of growth.
In earnest preparation for this shift, Dr Ruto said that he held wide consultations with current and former national leaders, political figures, scholars, and policy experts, including Professor Hiroyuki Hino and Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o.
To anchor this shared vision in the will of the people, the government will officially launch a nationwide public consultation on August 12, 2026. The process will bring together a broad spectrum of society including young people, business leaders, faith groups, academia, civil society, grassroots representatives, and former heads of state.
“To collectively define the next chapter of Kenya’s story and build an industrialized, globally competitive, and prosperous nation,” President Ruto concluded.
