Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya is aiming to transition into a developed, first-world economy within a generation, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has said, outlining agriculture, infrastructure, security and innovation as the main pillars of the country’s transformation agenda.
Speaking during the 14th Development Partners Forum held in Karen, Nairobi, Prof. Kindiki said Kenya’s ambition mirrors the development journeys of countries such as South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, which rose from developing to advanced economies within a few decades.
“Our next vision is clear: to transform Kenya into a first-world economy within a generation. There is absolutely no reason why Kenya cannot do it,” the Deputy President said.
Prof. Kindiki reaffirmed that the government remains committed to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) as its primary development framework, stressing that people must remain at the centre of policy and planning.
“People must remain at the centre of development planning. Technology will accelerate our transformation, and partnerships will mobilise the resources we need,” he said.
He identified agriculture as the fastest and most sustainable route to poverty reduction, noting that the sector employs millions of Kenyans and holds immense potential for job creation and food security. To stabilise production and cushion farmers from climate shocks, the government is investing heavily in irrigation and water infrastructure.
On infrastructure and energy, the Deputy President said modern transport systems and reliable power supply are critical to supporting industrialisation and maintaining Kenya’s regional competitiveness.
“If we move at the old pace, we will not reach where Kenya must go,” he warned.
To strengthen long-term financing, Prof. Kindiki revealed that the government is in the process of establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund aimed at supporting strategic investments while safeguarding revenues from natural resources for future generations.
“We are establishing the Sovereign Wealth Fund to cushion the economy and protect future generations from misuse of natural resource revenues,” he said.
The Deputy President also underscored the importance of national security, integrity, the rule of law and unity, cautioning that instability could quickly reverse economic gains.
“No country can sustain development without security, national cohesion and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
On human capital, Prof. Kindiki said investment in education, research and innovation remains a top priority, revealing that research funding has been increased to two per cent of GDP to support a knowledge-driven economy.
Addressing development partners, he emphasized that all programmes must align with Kenya’s national priorities under BETA, noting that some initiatives would be adjusted to reflect the country’s transformation goals.
“Some programmes will be re-aligned, some renegotiated, and others retired, because transformation must happen now, not tomorrow,” he said.
He also highlighted the NYOTA programme as a flagship youth-focused initiative designed to enhance skills development, entrepreneurship and a savings culture among young people.
The forum brought together senior government officials, diplomats and development partners to review progress and strengthen collaboration in advancing Kenya’s long-term economic vision.
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