Deputy President Kithure Kindiki says don’t count Kenya out when it comes to becoming a first-world country. He believes it’s totally doable within our lifetime.
Speaking about Kenya’s chances, Kindiki said some people don’t think we can do it, pointing to Singapore and saying it’s too small to compare. But he explained that Kenya isn’t just copying Singapore. We’re getting ideas from a bunch of successful Asian countries.
Kenya wants to be a first-world country, and we’re not just looking at one example, Kindiki said. We’re checking out several Asian nations that grew because they were disciplined, planned well, and made reforms for the long haul.
He mentioned China as a great example of how good leadership and consistent plans can cause quick change no matter how big a country is.
China is massive, with about 9.6 million square kilometers and around 1.5 billion people—way bigger than Kenya, he noted. But its economy took off in 1978, which isn’t that long ago.
Kindiki pointed out that in just over 40 years, China went from being poor and isolated to a huge global economy, proving big change can happen fast if you make the right choices.
He added that Kenya, with its 582,646 square kilometers and about 55 million people, could do the same if we stick to reforms, build infrastructure, grow industry, and invest in our people.
Our size doesn’t hold us back, he said. What matters is having a clear plan, doing things right, and staying focused on our goals.
The Deputy President repeated that the government thinks Kenya is on the right track, with investments in infrastructure, education, manufacturing, farming, and tech.
Kenya will be a first-world country while we’re still alive, he said. It’ll take patience, teamwork, and effort, but history shows change is possible—and Kenya can do it too.
He wants people to stop being negative and instead get behind the idea of building a modern, wealthy, and globally competitive country.
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