- President William Ruto has challenged universities to lead national conversations on Kenya’s next long-term development blueprint.
- He said institutions of higher learning should become centres of research, innovation and public policy as Vision 2030 nears its end.
- The President spoke during the presentation of a proposal on Kenya’s post-Vision 2030 development strategy at State House.
President William Ruto has challenged Kenyan universities to take a leading role in shaping the country’s next long-term development blueprint, saying institutions of higher learning must become centres of ideas, research and national policy discussions as Kenya prepares for life after Vision 2030.
Speaking during the presentation of the proposal, Developing a New Vision for Kenya: Towards a First World Nation – Strategic Guidelines for Long-Term National Transformation, at State House, Nairobi, on July 21, 2026, the President said universities have a critical responsibility in defining the country’s future development trajectory.
The proposal, prepared by a team of eminent scholars, marks the beginning of a national conversation on Kenya’s next long-term vision as Vision 2030 approaches its conclusion.
Ruto said discussions about Kenya’s future should extend beyond government and be anchored in institutions that generate knowledge and shape public policy.
“As we undertake that process, I also invite all the stakeholders represented here today to study this proposal carefully and engage constructively with the ideas it advances. I encourage you to carry this conversation into our universities, research institutions, businesses, counties, professional associations, places of worship and communities,” the President said.
He urged universities to provide platforms where scholars, students, professionals and policymakers can interrogate the ideas contained in the report and contribute to Kenya’s next development framework.
According to the President, national transformation requires continuous reflection, learning and adaptation.
“National transformation is never a destination to be reached. Rather, it is a continuous process of reflection, adaptation and reinvention,” he said.
Looking beyond Vision 2030
Ruto recalled that he initiated the process during his previous State of the Nation Address by urging Kenyans to begin thinking beyond the current national development blueprint.
“It was in recognition of this truth that, in my State of the Nation Address last year, I invited Kenyans to begin looking beyond today’s challenges and to start reflecting on what should succeed Vision 2030,” he said.
He noted that consultations had already been held with political leaders, governors, Members of Parliament, professionals, scholars and young people to gather diverse perspectives on Kenya’s future.
The President said sustainable national transformation can only be achieved when decisions are informed by research, evidence and strategic thinking rather than short-term political considerations.
He observed that countries which have successfully transformed themselves first invested in ideas before implementing policies.
“Together with many other engagements, those reflections reinforced a simple but profound lesson: every nation that has transformed itself first imagined a future greater than its present, and then pursued that future with discipline, consistency and patience,” he said.
Ruto added that universities and research institutions are best placed to generate the evidence needed to support long-term planning, innovation and policy development.
Beginning of a national conversation
The President emphasised that the proposal presented at State House was intended to stimulate debate rather than provide definitive answers.
“This proposal is a thoughtful and valuable contribution to an important national conversation. Its value lies not in providing every answer, but in asking important questions, challenging our assumptions, broadening our thinking and enriching our reflection on the choices that will shape Kenya’s future,” he said.
He assured Kenyans that the Government would study the proposal, engage stakeholders and communicate the way forward before adopting a new long-term national development vision.
Background
Launched in 2008, Kenya Vision 2030 has served as the country’s long-term development blueprint for nearly two decades, guiding national planning, public investment and policy reforms.
As the strategy nears its conclusion, the Government has initiated consultations to develop a successor framework that will define Kenya’s aspirations for the coming decades.
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The proposal presented to President Ruto was prepared by a team of distinguished scholars led by Prof. Hiroyuki Hino, with contributions from Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, Prof. Michael Chege, Prof. Karuti Kanyinga, Prof. Peter Wanyande and other experts.
The President said universities, research institutions and other stakeholders will play a central role in refining the proposals before Kenya adopts its next long-term development vision.
By Joseph Mambili
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