Democratic Party (DP) leader and former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has challenged President William Ruto's call for a national conversation on Kenya's development beyond 2030, arguing that the government should first account for the implementation of its 2022 economic agenda.
Muturi made the remarks on Thursday shortly after President Ruto delivered a special national address from State House, Nairobi, where he proposed a new national development framework to succeed Vision 2030.
The former Speaker said Kenyans were still waiting for answers regarding the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Hustler Economics, which formed the foundation of Ruto's 2022 presidential campaign.
In a post shared on his X account, Muturi questioned the rationale behind shifting the national conversation to the period beyond 2030 before evaluating the government's performance since taking office.
“William Ruto you can’t call for a national conversation beyond 2030 when many Kenyans are still asking, ‘Can we first finish the conversation about your 2022 BETA and Hustlers Economics?’” Muturi wrote.
He likened the move to changing the subject before addressing unresolved issues.
“It’s like a chef asking customers to discuss next week’s menu while today’s meal is still burning in the kitchen. If the government believes its economic blueprint has delivered, then let it proudly publish the scorecard. If not, changing the topic won’t fool Kenyans. Tunakuonea 18,” he added.
Ruto outlines post-2030 vision
In his address, President Ruto said Kenya must begin planning for its development beyond Vision 2030, describing the strategy as one that is approaching its horizon.
He proposed a people-driven national conversation aimed at developing a new national charter anchored on the economic and social rights enshrined in the Constitution.
Ruto compared Kenya's GDP per capita of about US$2,400 with South Korea's US$36,000, China's more than US$14,000 and Vietnam's US$5,000, arguing that Kenya had missed several opportunities to industrialise despite favourable global economic shifts.
The President also highlighted what he described as economic gains achieved since 2022, including improved macroeconomic stability, foreign exchange reserves exceeding US$15 billion, lower inflation, reduced borrowing costs and foreign direct investment amounting to US$3.2 billion last year.
He further cited Kenya's ranking as Africa's most competitive economy in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking.
National conversation to begin in August
President Ruto announced that the National Conversation on Kenya's Future Beyond Vision 2030 will commence on August 12.
According to the Head of State, the process will be inclusive and people-driven, bringing together stakeholders from different sectors to develop a long-term national development agenda that extends beyond electoral cycles.
Ruto also referenced proposals prepared by a team led by Professor Hiroyuki Hino and Professor Anyang' Nyong'o, which he said demonstrated that Kenya could become a high-income, industrialised nation within one generation.
Muturi's remarks have now placed the government's 2022 economic pledges at the centre of the debate surrounding the proposed post-2030 development framework, with the former Speaker insisting that Kenyans deserve a public assessment of BETA and Hustler Economics before embarking on a new national vision.
