NAIROBI, Kenya- Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has defended government borrowing for productive infrastructure, saying debt is justified when it finances projects that generate long-term economic returns.
Speaking during discussions on Vision 2060, Nyong’o argued that Kenya should not shy away from borrowing to modernise key infrastructure such as airports, provided the investments strengthen the country’s competitiveness and create future revenue streams.
Using the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as an example, the governor said Kenya risks losing business to regional competitors if it fails to invest in strategic infrastructure.
“Borrowing money to invest in infrastructure is very positive; you are getting into debt for the right reasons,” Nyong’o said.
He added that Nairobi was losing out to Addis Ababa as a regional aviation hub because of better services offered at the Ethiopian capital’s airport.
“If we borrowed money to improve our airport and get more business at the airport, very soon we would be making money to invest elsewhere,” he said.
Vision 2060 Should Build on Vision 2030
Nyong’o, who said he was among the architects of Vision 2030 in 2002, said Kenya must now begin preparing for the next long-term development blueprint as 2030 draws closer.
He described Vision 2060 as a national development framework that must be anchored on political, economic and social pillars, while actively involving citizens in shaping its priorities.
“Vision 2060 is a national blueprint that takes into account the country’s economy, society and the role of citizens in driving the vision forward. People must be engaged; you can’t have a vision in which people are not engaged,” he said.
The governor said the new blueprint should involve both the national and county governments to ensure coordinated implementation.
Call for Stable Institutions
Nyong’o also called for stronger constitutional safeguards to protect long-term development projects from political disruptions caused by electoral transitions.
While defending the role of politics in national development, he said frequent changes in leadership can sometimes derail successful programmes.
“Too many frequent changes can hurt good policies and projects. We must have safeguards in our Constitution that establish certain institutions that are not affected by changes resulting from elections,” he said.
He dismissed claims that politics had undermined Vision 2030, arguing that democratic debate is necessary for sound public policy.
Resource Mobilisation and AI
The Kisumu governor identified inadequate financing as one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the goals of Vision 2030.
He said Vision 2060 should place greater emphasis on mobilising both domestic resources and development financing to sustain long-term growth.
Nyong’o also urged planners to integrate emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), into the country’s future development agenda, saying the proposed vision is flexible enough to accommodate technological change.
Expanding Export Markets
The governor further challenged Kenya to increase earnings from agriculture by identifying international markets for locally produced commodities such as avocados, oranges and other high-value crops.
He said expanding exports would strengthen the economy and provide additional resources needed to finance national development.
Looking ahead to 2060, Nyong’o said Kenya’s long-term vision should guarantee every child access to quality healthcare, education and equal opportunities regardless of their background.
“A child born in 2060 should not suffer from diseases that are preventable, should go to school without any hindrance and have the ambition to achieve his goals in life. Vision 2060 must create an opportunity where everybody feels at home,” he said.
