Ruto calls for national unity to drive development agenda

President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to unite in developing a new long-term national development blueprint to succeed Vision 2030, saying the country's future should be shaped through an inclusive process involving citizens from all sectors.

Addressing worshippers during a church service at ACK St. Stephen's Chepkoilel Church in Uasin Gishu County, the President said the current Vision 2030 framework, introduced during former President Mwai Kibaki's administration, was nearing its implementation timeline and required a successor aligned with Kenya's 2010 Constitution.

"This week I proposed a meeting to share on planning the country ahead. President Kibaki planned for Vision 2030. The period is approaching and we need to plan ahead so that our plans can align with future programmes," Ruto said.

He noted that Vision 2030 was formulated before the promulgation of the Constitution and argued that Kenya's next development agenda should fully reflect the constitutional order.

"The Vision 2030 was crafted before the new Constitution and now we have the Constitution guiding the development of our country. We are operationalising all chapters of the Constitution, including political parties, elections and human rights. It is now time to operationalise the development of the country," he said.

Ruto emphasized that the new development blueprint should emerge from broad public participation rather than decisions made by a few individuals.

"It cannot be done by a few individuals in secret, but all Kenyans should take part in deciding how they want the country to develop according to the Constitution," he said.