President William Ruto has revealed that the late former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, often expressed deep frustration over Kenya’s slow pace of national development compared to countries that were once its peers.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, Ruto said Raila frequently reflected on Kenya’s economic journey and questioned why nations such as South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia, which were once on the same development level as Kenya, had advanced to first-world status while Kenya continued to struggle with basic challenges.
“In our engagements, Baba often spoke with immense passion and, at times, frustration about the pace of our national progress,” he said.
“He would often wonder why nations like South Korea, Singapore, or Malaysia, which were once at par with Kenya just a few decades ago, had leapt forward to first-world status while we still grapple with the basics.”
The President said that through these candid conversations, he and Raila agreed that the true driver of national transformation is visionary and selfless leadership.
“We came to a shared conclusion that the true driver of national development is leadership—not leadership focused on the next election, but leadership that aspires to impact the next generation,” Ruto said.
He added that Raila believed Kenya’s leaders must be bold, forward-looking, and relentless in their pursuit of the common good.
The Head of State said the former PM always emphasized that sustainable progress requires ambition beyond political cycles.
According to Ruto, both leaders shared the conviction that Kenya has the capacity to rise to first-world status within their lifetime if guided by determination and unity of purpose.
“And we agreed that if Kenya is to attain first-world status within our lifetime, as it must, we should set for ourselves daring and audacious goals and pursue them with unwavering focus,” he said.
President Ruto’s remarks were part of his tribute to Raila Odinga, whom he described as a visionary patriot whose ideas and ideals should continue to guide Kenya’s path to development and national cohesion.
The ODM leader died in India on the morning of October 15, 2025 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
He had flown to the country for treatment and was expected to return back on October 16, 2025.
Raila was laid to rest at their Kang’o Ka’Jaramogi home in Bondo through a state funeral accorded by the government.
At the time, President Ruto also announced seven days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast.
