Ruto: Why Kenya will be a first-world country in 30 years
President William Ruto has said that Kenya will transition from a developing nation to a first-world nation by the year 2055.
Ruto has said his administration’s focus is on key sectors such as housing, healthcare, education, and agriculture, which he believes will form the foundation for economic growth and sustainable development.
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Speaking on Sunday, October 12, 2025, during the 70th anniversary of the African Inland Church Ziwani held at Starehe Boys in Nairobi County, Ruto said the country has remained in the developing category for a long time, but he is determined to change.
Ruto had earlier highlighted that Kenya’s industrialisation, infrastructure growth, and economic reforms are critical pillars in achieving the vision of being a first-world country.
“I want to say this in church that by God’s grace, we have been in the third world for far too long. We have had our fair share, and it is now time, by God’s grace, the efforts of our hands, the blessings of our plans, and the energy and unity of the people of Kenya, to move this country from a third-world to a first-world country in the next 30 years,” he said.
This comes as the country continues to grapple with the effects of external borrowings and high recurrent expenditure, which snarls operations in key sectors such as education.
Also watch: Ruto vows to transform Kenya’s housing sector to match nations like Singapore.
But the Head of State insists that he has a clear plan and vision to improve the living standards across the country and bolster the economy.
Ruto is convinced that Kenya has resources, ideas, and human capital to be one of the developed countries in the world.
“We have what it takes, we have the ideas, the plan, the people, and the resources to take this country to a first world by 2055. I am persuaded beyond any reasonable doubt that we are going to move this country to a first world by 2055,” he stated.
In his previous addresses, Ruto maintained that he would make Kenya like Singapore, saying that the country has the wherewithal to realise its potential.
He has since ramped up the move, stating that he has engaged at least 80 per cent of Members of Parliament, explaining to them why it is important to develop Kenya from a third to a first world.
Among the political leaders, he said he has shared the ambition, is ODM Leader Raila Odinga, and recently, Kenya African National Union (KANU) Chairman Gideon Moi, and that is what he is working towards.
The president urged Kenyans to unite and believe in the country’s potential, saying transformation will be achieved through collective effort and determination.
