President William Ruto speaking on Wednesday, August 12 during the national conversation on Beyond 2030. [PCS]
As Kenya begins looking beyond Vision 2030, economist Odhiambo Ramogi has called for the proposed Vision 2060 talks to be delayed until after the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Thursday, August 13, Ramogi said the country needs a bipartisan conversation on its long-term development agenda, which, if held now, risks becoming a political tool ahead of the elections.
According to the economist, the Vision 2060 conversation is a national process that is supposed to be all-inclusive, bipartisan, sober and unbiased.
However, he says holding the conversation as the country approaches the 2027 elections would give it a political orientation, making it difficult to reach consensus on the proposals.
“At this time, we cannot have a bipartisan conversation and start really breaking down the document, honestly. Those in government, who are broad-based, will be supporting almost everything in that document, because they do not want to be seen as standing against the President's proposal to the country,” said the economist.
“Those in the opposition will not want to be identified with any proposal in that document, because they would be seen as giving President Ruto political capital.”