Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Kenya from a third-world to a first-world economy.
Ruto described the nation’s development path as a continuation of the “Canaan journey” envisioned by the late ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking when he attended the finals of the Genowa Governor’s Cup at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County, President Ruto said Kenya’s economic transformation agenda has the backing of a broad political coalition, including the ODM, which he said has expressed readiness to work together for the country’s progress.
“ODM wamesema wako tayari,” President Ruto told the crowd, signalling growing political convergence behind his development agenda.
He invoked remarks by Raila during the 2022 general election, saying the vision of Canaan was no longer just a promise but a practical journey already underway.
“Mlisikia Baba alituambia kuna safari ya Canaan. Hiyo safari ya Canaan ni hii ya kwenda Singapore (You heard Baba talk about the journey to Canaan. That Canaan journey is this one, to go to Singapore),” Ruto said, drawing a comparison between Kenya’s ambitions and Singapore’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse.
The President said he and Raila had agreed that Kenya must decisively shed its third-world status and pursue policies that would place it among developed nations.
He added that this ambition is backed by a concrete plan, not rhetoric.
“Before Baba hajaondoka, tulikubaliana kwamba tutaondoa Kenya from a third world country to a first world country, na tuko na mpango,” he said.
Ruto pointed to the emerging cooperation between ODM, UDA and the Kenya Kwanza coalition as evidence that the country is moving beyond divisive politics towards a governance model anchored on shared goals.
He said the broad-based political alignment would help form a government focused on vision, planning, sound policies and a clear development agenda.
“Tuko na merikebu ya ODM na UDA na Kenya Kwanza, na tutatengeneza serikali ambayo iko na maono, iko na mpango, sera na agenda ya kutoa Kenya from a third world country kupeleka first world,” the President said.
(We have a coalition with ODM, UDA, and Kenya Kwanza, and we will form a government that has a vision, a plan, policies, and an agenda to take Kenya from a third-world country to a first-world nation)
He emphasised that unity among political leaders was essential for delivering economic growth, job creation and improved living standards for Kenyans, adding that political cooperation should serve citizens rather than individual interests.
Ruto has in recent months been vocal about repositioning Kenya as a globally competitive economy, advocating reforms in industrialisation, infrastructure, education and governance.
He has repeatedly argued that sustained development requires political stability and consensus on long-term national priorities.
The president was accompanied by several ODM leaders including party Oburu Odinga and Governor Gladys Wanga.
