NAIROBI, Kenya- A seven-year-old boy captured President William Ruto’s attention on Wednesday after presenting an ambitious vision of the Kenya he hopes to inherit in 2060, calling for a country where children are safe, families are happy, and every citizen has an opportunity to realise their dreams.
Adrian Gweth shared his vision during the launch of the Beyond Vision 2030 national conversation, which seeks to establish a long-term development framework to guide Kenya after the expiry of the current Vision 2030 blueprint.
Adrian, who will be 41 years old in 2060, told the President that his dream Kenya should provide quality education and healthcare, clean water, jobs, safe communities and a clean environment.
“Good morning, Mr President, my name is Adrian Gweth. I am 7 years old. In 2060, I will be 41 years old and my dream for Kenya is that I would like to see good schools for all children, good hospitals for everyone, clean water for every home,” he said.
He also called for clean roads, greener towns and cities, more employment opportunities for young people and sufficient fields and green spaces.
Adrian urged the country to protect its wildlife and preserve peace, saying he wanted to grow up in a country where children could pursue their aspirations without fear.
“Mr President, I want to grow up in a happy and safe Kenya. I want Kenya to be a country where every child can dream and achieve their dreams,” he said.
Ruto launches Beyond Vision 2030 conversation
Adrian’s message came as President Ruto launched the national conversation on Kenya’s development priorities beyond Vision 2030.
The initiative is intended to give Kenyans, experts, political leaders, the private sector and other stakeholders an opportunity to contribute ideas that will shape the country’s next long-term development strategy.
The proposed framework, commonly referred to as Vision 2060, is expected to cover areas including economic transformation and prosperity, industrialisation and value addition, jobs and skills development, youth empowerment, technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Other priorities include world-class infrastructure, quality education and human capital development, accessible healthcare, food security, climate resilience, national wealth and strategic investment.
The framework will also address institutional strengthening and good governance as Kenya seeks to build a development agenda capable of surviving successive political administrations.
Mbadi rejects claims Ruto is imposing Vision 2060
Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the process, rejecting claims that President Ruto had personally developed Vision 2060.
Mbadi said the proposed framework would be developed through public participation in line with the 2010 Constitution.
“I’ve had people saying Ruto has developed another vision. Ruto has not developed a vision,” Mbadi said.
He argued that Kenya needs to begin preparing for a successor to Vision 2030 because the existing framework, introduced in 2008, is approaching its target year.
Mbadi said the new process would also allow Kenyans to assess what worked under Vision 2030, identify areas where targets were missed and determine which achievements should be carried forward.
He further invited opposition leaders and other political actors to participate in the national conversation, saying the country’s long-term development agenda should not be owned by one administration.
