Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang' Nyong'o has challenged Kenya to adopt a bold long-term development strategy that he says can transform the country into a first-world economy within the next 30 to 40 years, arguing that sustained political commitment, strong institutions and national unity will determine whether the goal is achieved.
Speaking at State House on Tuesday during the launch of the New National Vision: Journey to a First World Economy, Nyong'o said the proposed blueprint offers Kenya a fresh opportunity to redefine its development agenda after the expiry of Vision 2030 while tackling the economic and social challenges that have slowed the country's progress.
He said the strategy is designed to guide Kenya towards becoming a modern, industrialised and high-income nation through strategic infrastructure development, inclusive economic growth and stable institutions capable of sustaining progress across different administrations.
Nyong'o disclosed that President William Ruto appointed him in January 2026 to lead the preparation of the country's new long-term development plan, describing the task as an opportunity to help shape Kenya's future.
"I took the President's request as a privilege to play a role in making our country transition from its current status as a lower-middle-income economy to a modern, industrialised and high-income economy."
He said Kenya must confront the challenges that have remained since independence, including poverty and limited access to quality education and healthcare, while also responding to growing competition from countries across Africa and beyond.
"We, as a country, face more competition than before. Nations that were next to us and across the continent are investing in massive infrastructure projects and programmes that should concern us. They are perhaps leaving us behind, losing markets to our competitors in exports and tourism. In any case, merely being dominant in the region is not good enough for Kenya."
Looking back at the country's planning journey, Nyong'o said the end of Vision 2030 provides an important chance to assess what worked, identify existing gaps and develop a stronger roadmap for the future.
"A key lesson learned and captured in the plan we present is that nations do not become prosperous by accident. They do so because they learn from their successes and failures, build institutions capable of sustaining progress, and develop a shared national purpose and ideal that survives changes in political leadership."
He said Kenya should pursue a development model built around its own realities instead of trying to replicate the experience of other nations.
"Kenya cannot and does not need to duplicate or copy and paste development. Kenya has developed in her own fashion, taking cognisance of her unique characteristics, challenges, weaknesses and strengths."
Prof Nyong'o added that economic growth alone cannot deliver lasting prosperity, saying national unity, fairness and inclusion are equally important. He cited the 2007 post-election violence as a reminder that development must go hand in hand with social cohesion.
"We must build a nation that is united and has a sense of common and shared destiny, an ethnically integrated nation that is fair in its dealings with citizens, a nation with strong moral and ethical values, one that is democratic, liberal, tolerant, caring, equitable and progressive."
He also urged the country to strengthen planning institutions to coordinate major infrastructure projects and ensure development programmes continue regardless of changes in political leadership.
Concluding his remarks, Prof Nyong'o said Kenya has the capacity to achieve the same level of transformation witnessed in several Asian countries if it remains committed to long-term planning and effective institutions.
"South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and more recently China and Vietnam transformed themselves through deliberate policy choices, capable institutions and political commitment. It is time for Kenya to have her own."
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