Beyond Vision 2030: Why Kenya's Next National Development Plan Matters

I am pleased to see that the President has unveiled a roadmap for Kenya's post-Vision 2030 development agenda.

This is a welcome and long-overdue initiative. Although I have not yet had the opportunity to read the full report—largely because I have been unable to locate it on the President's official website—I have a few initial observations.

First, developing a long-term national vision is absolutely the right thing to do. Effective leadership should always look beyond its own term in office and focus on the country's long-term prosperity. As we embark on this new chapter, I would also like to see a comprehensive assessment of Vision 2030 itself. How well did we perform against its objectives? Which targets were achieved, which fell short, and what lessons have we learned? Those insights would provide a stronger foundation for shaping the next national vision.

Second, for this new roadmap to endure beyond the current administration, I believe it should be strengthened through broad public participation. While I appreciate that it has been developed with input from respected leaders in politics, academia, economics, and other fields, the success of any national vision ultimately depends on public ownership. Engaging citizens across the country would help build national consensus and create a shared commitment to the vision. It would also enable voters to hold future administrations accountable by ensuring that campaign manifestos align with the country's long-term development goals.

Finally, I believe there should be a robust legal and institutional framework that protects the continuity of long-term national development plans. While governments should retain the flexibility to improve strategies and adapt to changing circumstances, they should not be able to abandon or reverse foundational projects simply because they were initiated by a previous administration. National development should transcend political cycles and partisan interests.

Overall, I believe this is an important and commendable step forward. It deserves greater public discussion, wider media coverage, and thoughtful national debate. A shared long-term vision can only succeed if it is understood, supported, and safeguarded by both the government and the people.