Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has expressed optimism that Kenya can ascend to the ranks of wealthy and developed countries if it commits to effective leadership, nurtures confidence in its capabilities, and ensures continuity in its long-term development policies.
Speaking at the launch of the National Conversation on Kenya’s transformation agenda, Beyond Vision 2030, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Kindiki emphasized the need to depoliticize development efforts.
"Kenya and Africa can join the league of prosperous nations," Kindiki stated, highlighting that good leadership is crucial for this transformation.
He pointed out that African countries have the potential to overcome poverty and achieve sustained progress, urging citizens to believe in their ability to build a prosperous nation.
Kindiki cited several areas where Kenya has made notable progress, including:
- Economic growth with foreign exchange reserves increasing to $15.1 billion
- Inflation reduction from 9.6% to below 6%
- Attraction of $3.2 billion in foreign direct investment in the previous year
- Agricultural advancements, such as registering 7.2 million farmers and boosting maize production from 44 million to 75 million bags
- Increases in tea, sugar, and processed milk production
- Education sector improvements with government funding rising from Sh500 billion to Sh784 billion, employment of 100,000 teachers, and construction of 23,000 classrooms
Despite these gains, Kindiki warned that frequent policy disruptions linked to government changes pose a significant threat to Kenya’s development trajectory.
"The biggest threat to African and developing countries is policy disruption," he said, urging all stakeholders to avoid politicizing the nation’s development agenda.
