Ruto: By God’s grace, if I reach 90, I hope to see Kenya become 1st world

President William Ruto has reaffirmed his long-term vision of transforming Kenya into a first-world nation within the next three decades, expressing confidence that the country has the capacity to achieve rapid economic and social advancement.

Speaking aboard a flight on Friday morning as he headed to Kamandura, Kiambu County, to launch the mega Rironi–Mau Summit road dualling project, the President said he believes Kenya can join the ranks of developed nations within his lifetime.

Ruto said that if granted a long life by God, he hopes to witness Kenya reach first-world status by the time he turns 90.

“This is a plan we are implementing from now," he said.

"In my estimation, we should be able to move Kenya from where we are today to a first-world economy in 30 years. It is a reality that by God’s grace, if I get to 90 years, I should be able to see Kenya as a first-world country before I move on. This is how significant that is.”

The President urged Kenyans to embrace the same optimism, saying that scepticism and negative attitudes have hindered the nation’s progress.

He called on citizens to believe in Kenya’s potential, insisting that development is not a distant dream but an achievable goal grounded in planning, consistency, and collective effort.

“We must dispel the notion that it cannot be done. Many of our peers globally have already overtaken us, and it is time for Kenya to catch up," he said.

Ruto’s remarks come at a time when his administration is expected to roll out ambitious infrastructure and economic transformation programmes.

The Rironi–Mau Summit dualling, one of the largest road upgrades in the region, forms part of the government’s strategy to strengthen logistics, improve mobility, reduce transport costs, and open up economic corridors vital for growth.

This is not the first time President Ruto has spoken of his long-term aspiration to elevate Kenya to first-world status.

In early November, while addressing congregants at the African Divine Church in Gamalenga, Vihiga County, he said the government was crafting long-term proposals to steer the country toward industrialisation and high-income status.

The plan, he noted, hinges on large-scale investments in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and technology.

“We have the plans and the vision to change this country from a Third World country to a First World country,” he said at the time.

“It is possible to take this country to that level in our lifetime, in about 20 to 30 years.”

Ruto often cites the successes of several Asian economies — including Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia — as examples Kenya can emulate through disciplined policy implementation, industrial growth, and improved productivity.

He has repeatedly emphasised that Kenya must break away from cycles of poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment if it is to match its global peers.

The President echoed the same sentiments during a meeting with Kenyans living in Qatar on the sidelines of the UN Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha.

Expressing concern over the country’s slow pace of progress, he said: “It disturbs me that Kenya can be a great nation, but we are not moving.”

He urged Kenyans in the diaspora to support his economic transformation agenda, saying their remittances, expertise, and investment would be crucial in driving the country toward developed status.