President William Ruto has said Kenya has no business being classified as a third-world country, insisting that the nation has the resources, talent, and vision to attain first-world status within a generation.
Speaking on Sunday during a church service at the African Divine Church, Gamalenga, Vihiga County, the President said Kenya’s economic and social potential remains largely untapped, but his administration is determined to transform the country into a global economic powerhouse.
“We have the greatest potential as a nation. Our being a third-world country is a mistake. We shouldn’t be a third-world country,” Ruto said.
“We have what it takes — we have the men and women, we have the plans and the vision to change this country from a third world country to a first world country.”
The President said his government’s ongoing development initiatives are designed to unlock Kenya’s productivity and competitiveness in all sectors, particularly in infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and technology.
Ruto pointed out that Kenya’s human capital remains its greatest strength, describing the country’s youth as innovative, skilled, and capable of driving the transformation agenda.
He expressed confidence that, with the right policies and governance, Kenya could achieve industrial and social progress similar to that witnessed in countries such as Singapore and South Korea, which transitioned from developing to developed economies within a few decades.
“I am very happy that our Archbishop believes, as many of us do, that it is possible to take Kenya from a third world country to a first world country,” Ruto added.
“I want to promise you, Bishop, in our lifetime, this country is going to move from a third-world country to a first-world country.”
The Head of State, who has previously addressed the same subject in October, insisted that Kenya will transition from a third-world to a first-world nation within the next three decades.
Ruto said that Kenya has remained in the developing category for too long, but his administration is determined to change that through faith, unity, and hard work.
“I want to say this in church that by God’s grace, we have been in the third world for far too long. We have had our fair share, and it is now time, by God’s grace, the efforts of our hands, the blessings of our plans, and the energy and unity of the people of Kenya, to move this country from a third world to a first world country in the next 30 years,” Ruto said.
The President spoke during the 70th anniversary of the African Inland Church Ziwani held at Starehe Boys in Nairobi County.
He emphasized that the government has a clear vision and plan to transform the economy and improve livelihoods across the country.
The President said Kenya has the ideas, resources, and human capital required to achieve this ambitious goal.
