NAIROBI, Kenya- ODM leader Oburu Odinga has claimed that President William Ruto’s proposed 2060 vision was based on ideas developed by his late brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying the team behind the initiative was also formed during Raila’s tenure in national politics.
Oburu’s remarks come amid renewed debate over Kenya’s next long-term development blueprint as Vision 2030 approaches its final phase.
“The 2060 vision by Ruto was an idea of our late Raila Odinga, and the team that crafted it was also formed by him,” Oburu said.
The remarks have added a political dimension to discussions on Kenya’s future development strategy, with the government arguing that the country requires a new long-term plan after the conclusion of Vision 2030.
Speaking on Debarl Inea’s X Space, Government Spokesperson Charles Owino said President William Ruto’s push for a new vision was informed by the need to address gaps in the implementation of Vision 2030.
“Vision 2030 was meant to ensure that we push the country to industrialization and stabilize the economy by improving poverty levels. President William Ruto’s plan is to move beyond Vision 2030 and improve livelihoods through housing, Universal Health Care, agriculture among others,” Owino said.
Owino said Vision 2030, launched in 2008, was designed to transform Kenya into a middle-income economy through economic, social and political reforms, but argued that some of its targets were not fully achieved.
“The main conversation is that in 2008 we came up with Vision 2030 and the government expected to improve the living standards of Kenyans. Unfortunately, that did not happen,” he said.
He added that President Ruto was calling for public participation on August 12 to discuss the country’s next development direction as Vision 2030 nears its conclusion.
“President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to have a dialogue on 12th August because the economy has not grown to our expectation of Vision 2030 which is coming to an end a few years to come,” Owino said.
Beyond Vision 2030
Owino defended the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), saying it remains part of Ruto’s development approach and draws from some priorities contained in Vision 2030.
“President William Ruto has not abandoned the BETA agenda. In fact, from the five pillars he picked some of them from the social pillar of Vision 2030 and he is implementing it, which is the most important thing,” he said.
The government spokesperson also dismissed debate over the proposed timeline of the next national vision, saying the focus should be on the goals rather than the number of years attached to it.
“There is nothing strange with the years. It can be Vision 2050 or 2070. Let’s not make the years peculiar. What is important is having another vision now that Vision 2030 is coming to an end,” Owino said.
Kenya’s Next Development Blueprint
Vision 2030 was launched in 2008 as Kenya’s long-term development framework, with the goal of transforming the country into a globally competitive and prosperous nation. It is structured around three pillars: economic, social and political governance.
The economic pillar focuses on areas such as infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing, while the social pillar covers sectors including health, education and housing.
The debate over a successor plan comes as the government continues to promote initiatives under BETA, including affordable housing, Universal Health Coverage, agriculture reforms and the digital economy.
Oburu’s comments place Raila’s legacy at the centre of discussions around the next development vision, while the government maintains that the priority is creating a new framework to guide Kenya’s growth beyond Vision 2030.
