Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, Ruto shared some of the private discussions he held with Raila about Kenya’s development path and the challenges that stood in the way of progress.
According to Ruto, Raila was a visionary leader who constantly compared Kenya’s growth with that of countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia—nations that were once at Kenya’s economic level but have since achieved impressive industrial and technological milestones.
“Baba spoke passionately, sometimes with frustration, about why Kenya was still struggling with basics while other countries had moved far ahead,” Ruto said.
Ruto noted that through their engagements, they both agreed that the true driver of transformation is leadership—leadership that focuses on future generations rather than short-term politics.
The president added that he had also consulted with former president Uhuru Kenyatta and other national leaders to come up with a long-term vision for Kenya’s transformation.
According to Ruto, Raila was a visionary leader who constantly compared Kenya’s growth with that of countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia—nations that were once at Kenya’s economic level but have since achieved impressive industrial and technological milestones.
“Baba spoke passionately, sometimes with frustration, about why Kenya was still struggling with basics while other countries had moved far ahead,” Ruto said.
Ruto noted that through their engagements, they both agreed that the true driver of transformation is leadership—leadership that focuses on future generations rather than short-term politics.
The president added that he had also consulted with former president Uhuru Kenyatta and other national leaders to come up with a long-term vision for Kenya’s transformation.
Ruto’s Four-Pillar Plan for a First-World Kenya
Ruto outlined a new roadmap to turn Kenya into a globally competitive economy within a decade. The plan focuses on food security, industrialisation, energy, and infrastructure.
1. Food Security:
Ruto announced that Kenya would build at least 50 large dams to bring two million acres of land under irrigation. He said the country must move away from dependence on rain-fed farming to achieve self-sufficiency and even export surplus produce.
2. Industrialisation:
The president said Kenya must shift from being a market for foreign goods to becoming a manufacturing hub.
Ruto outlined a new roadmap to turn Kenya into a globally competitive economy within a decade. The plan focuses on food security, industrialisation, energy, and infrastructure.
1. Food Security:
Ruto announced that Kenya would build at least 50 large dams to bring two million acres of land under irrigation. He said the country must move away from dependence on rain-fed farming to achieve self-sufficiency and even export surplus produce.
2. Industrialisation:
The president said Kenya must shift from being a market for foreign goods to becoming a manufacturing hub.
Through the Africa Growth and Industrialisation Initiative (AGII), Special Economic Zones will be developed in Vipingo, Dongo Kundu, and Naivasha to host textile, agro-processing, and light manufacturing industries.
3. Energy:
Ruto promised to increase the country’s power generation from 2,300 megawatts to 10,000 megawatts within ten years. He acknowledged Raila’s past calls for a diversified energy mix that includes geothermal, hydro, solar, wind, and nuclear sources.
4. Infrastructure:
The government plans to dual over 1,000 kilometers of highways and complete the Standard Gauge Railway line from Naivasha to Kisumu and Malaba.
3. Energy:
Ruto promised to increase the country’s power generation from 2,300 megawatts to 10,000 megawatts within ten years. He acknowledged Raila’s past calls for a diversified energy mix that includes geothermal, hydro, solar, wind, and nuclear sources.
4. Infrastructure:
The government plans to dual over 1,000 kilometers of highways and complete the Standard Gauge Railway line from Naivasha to Kisumu and Malaba.
Ruto said these projects reflect the bold and visionary spirit that Raila always embodied.
Honouring Raila Odinga’s Legacy
In recognition of Raila’s immense contribution to Kenya’s democracy and development, Ruto posthumously awarded him the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.), the country’s highest civilian honour.
Ruto praised Raila for his dedication, courage, and unifying leadership, saying his legacy would continue to guide the country’s future.
“This honour is a small token of appreciation for a man who gave his all to this nation,” Ruto said.
Raila Odinga’s dream for a prosperous, united, and first-world Kenya, Ruto concluded, will remain a shared goal for every patriotic citizen.
Honouring Raila Odinga’s Legacy
In recognition of Raila’s immense contribution to Kenya’s democracy and development, Ruto posthumously awarded him the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.), the country’s highest civilian honour.
Ruto praised Raila for his dedication, courage, and unifying leadership, saying his legacy would continue to guide the country’s future.
“This honour is a small token of appreciation for a man who gave his all to this nation,” Ruto said.
Raila Odinga’s dream for a prosperous, united, and first-world Kenya, Ruto concluded, will remain a shared goal for every patriotic citizen.
