Low self-esteem: Wamae slams Ruto’s Singapore vision
By Ascah Mwango, December 20, 2025Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae has criticised President William Ruto’s development vision of turning Kenya into a Singapore-style economy, saying the idea reflects low national self-esteem and ignores Kenya’s unique realities.
In a statement shared on her X account on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Wamae questioned why Kenya should aspire to be like another country instead of focusing on becoming a stronger, better version of itself.
“Aspiring to be like Singapore is indicative of low self-esteem. Why can’t we be a better version of Kenya? Thank you very much, important!”
She argued that constantly comparing Kenya to Singapore shows a lack of confidence in the country’s own identity, potential and socio-economic context.
Wamae used social expectations to illustrate her point, recalling a time when parents would buy cakes and flowers for girls at Alliance Girls during Valentine’s Day. She warned that such practices risk creating unrealistic expectations about life, relationships and prosperity, especially in an economy where many people are struggling to make ends meet.
According to her, these expectations do not match the reality on the ground for most Kenyans.
She maintained that the real priority for the country should be creating sustainable wealth and opportunities for citizens, rather than chasing symbolic comparisons with developed nations. Wamae emphasised that building Kenya’s economy from its own strengths is more important than political slogans or borrowed visions.
“There was a time parents of girls in Alliance Girls would buy the girls cake and flowers during Valentine’s day. I worried that the girls risked having high expectations about life, gifts and appreciation. Where were they to get those husbands who would lavish them with gifts in this pseudo-Singapore economy? Not unless the parents of the girls are willing to provide for their girls, husbands and children?Juu kwa ground mambo ni different. Creating wealth for the nation of Kenya is the only agenda bigger than wantam and Singapore shenanigans!” Wamae declared.
President Ruto has on several occasions said he wants to transform Kenya into a developed economy by drawing lessons from countries like Singapore. He has linked this vision to investments in infrastructure, affordable housing, industrial growth, energy and economic reforms aimed at accelerating development.
However, Ruto’s Singapore vision has sparked debate, with critics arguing that Kenya’s economic, social and governance conditions are very different.