President William Ruto has proposed the development of a new long-term national charter to steer Kenya's growth beyond Vision 2030, saying the country must now begin shaping a shared development agenda that is guided by the Constitution rather than changing political administrations.
Delivering his special State of the Nation Address on Thursday, the President said Vision 2030 is nearing the end of its lifespan, making it necessary for the country to start planning for the next phase of national development through an inclusive process that brings together all Kenyans.
Ruto said the new framework should not be treated as another government policy document but as a national charter that reflects Kenya's long-term aspirations under the 2010 Constitution.
"As Vision 2030 approaches its horizon, our responsibility is not simply to replace it with another government document or plan. Our responsibility is far greater under the 2010 Constitution, that is to craft a new national development charter," Ruto said.
He said the process of preparing the new development agenda must involve citizens from all parts of the country and should not be influenced by political competition or election timelines.
"This national conversation must rise above politics, transcend electoral cycles, and unite us around a shared destiny," he said.
The President said Vision 2030 had helped shape Kenya's development journey over the past two decades by guiding public policy, attracting investment and providing a common direction for national planning.
At the same time, he admitted that some of the goals set under the plan remain unmet, including the target of making Kenya an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030.
"Vision 2030 has brought us this far, but it is approaching its horizon. It has served Kenya well. It transformed the way we think about national development, provided a common direction, inspired investment and guided policy," he said.
"But honesty also requires us to acknowledge that some of its ambitions remain unattained."
Ruto said the unfinished targets should not be viewed as a setback but as a chance for the country to evaluate its progress, learn from past experiences and build a stronger and more ambitious roadmap for future generations.
The President also reflected on Kenya's economic progress since independence, comparing it with countries that have transformed their economies over the past several decades.
He noted that Kenya and South Korea had nearly the same GDP per capita in 1965 but said the two countries had since taken very different economic paths.
"In 1965, Kenya and South Korea each had a GDP per capita of approximately 110 US dollars. Today, South Korea exceeds 36,000 US dollars compared to ours of 2,400 US dollars," he said.
Ruto also pointed to China's economic reforms that began in 1980 and Vietnam's growth since the 1990s, saying both countries had changed their economic fortunes within a generation.
He challenged Kenyans to reflect on why other countries had taken advantage of major global economic changes while Kenya had not achieved its full potential.
"The question we must ask ourselves candidly and honestly is why other nations have fulfilled so much of their potential, while we have repeatedly fallen short," he said.
The President urged the country to use the period ahead to define a bold development agenda that builds strong institutions, supports long-term prosperity and remains effective beyond individual governments.
"We can, we must, and we shall, together, get it right this time round," he said.