MAKUENI, Kenya- Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has questioned the relevance of discussions around a proposed Vision 2060, arguing that the country’s immediate economic challenges should take priority over long-term development plans.
Speaking amid the ongoing national debate over Kenya’s development agenda, Mutula said many Kenyans are grappling with the high cost of living and uncertainty about their daily survival.
“We don’t need Vision 2060. The majority of Kenyans don’t know what they will eat tomorrow, and many young people have lost hope. We cannot be talking about Vision 2060 under these circumstances,” the governor said.
The governor’s remarks come after renewed public discussion about extending Kenya’s long-term development planning beyond the current Vision 2030, with President William Ruto recently urging the country to begin thinking about a Vision 2060 framework.
The proposal has sparked mixed reactions from political leaders and the public, with supporters arguing that long-term planning is essential, while critics say the government should first address pressing economic concerns.
Mutula maintained that the country’s immediate priorities should be restoring hope among young people, improving livelihoods and tackling the economic hardships affecting households across Kenya.
His comments are consistent with his recent calls for leaders to focus on resolving the country’s political and economic challenges through dialogue, warning that prolonged instability discourages investment and worsens the economic outlook.
The remarks add to the growing political debate over the balance between long-term national planning and addressing the immediate concerns facing millions of Kenyans, including unemployment, the cost of living and economic recovery.
As discussions on the country’s future development strategy continue, leaders remain divided on whether the focus should be on crafting a new long-term vision or accelerating the implementation of existing national development goals.
