Good day, dear reader. It’s been a minute.
And while at it, have you heard of the Singapore dream? In Europe and the Western world, the figurative country of choice is Denmark. When someone mentions going to Denmark, it doesn’t necessarily refer to the country itself but rather to the improvement of human conditions to the extent that development mirrors key indicators of progress, such as those seen in Denmark. The book of Habakkuk 2:2-3 instructs us to write our vision and make it plain.
In the run-up to the last general elections, a small team came together to imagine what we wanted to achieve if President William Ruto ascended to the presidency. This resulted in a 10-point agenda that I was privileged to draft, which was ultimately reduced into the 5 points that became THE BETA PLAN. Indeed, there has never been a time when Kenyans from various walks of life were rallied to contribute to the making of a political party manifesto and movement. Over and above the initial drafting of proposed solutions to our problems, we conducted Bottom-Up Economic Forums in each of the 47 counties across the country, starting with Nyeri at Kabiru-ini Grounds on February 14, 2022. We then trained representatives from other counties in Naivasha on how to conduct their forums. By the time all 47 counties had held their forums, the original draft had significantly improved from what I had originally presented to a small group of leaders who had retreated to the Mara Sarova on May 1, 2021, to discuss ‘forming a government.’
Fast forward, a new vision was born under H.E. President Ruto, focusing on transforming Kenya into a first-world country. In his 2025 Jamhuri Day address, the President clearly stated that our country needs economic freedom to achieve first-world status.
When we assumed office, there was little to show, as the economy was in doldrums. We were even expected to default on the Eurobond, but we have since managed to repay it. We made some painful decisions that have translated into significant gains for our country. This progress serves as a springboard toward the Singapore dream.
It’s important to first and foremost define these two concepts. THE BETA PLAN is a great manifesto that speaks to the 4th Medium Term Plan of the 27-year economic blueprint, Kenya Vision 2030, aimed at elevating this country to middle-income status. With four years remaining, our country has indeed progressed to lower middle-income status. The BETA PLAN comprises 5 pillars: agriculture and food security, Universal Health Care, Affordable Housing, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Digital Superhighway and the creative economy.
The first-world vision has 4 key planks of this dream including: food sufficiency by reducing the importation of basic commodities, which currently costs up to Ksh 500 billion; increasing energy capacity from the current 3,321 megawatts to at least 10,000, using a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources; infrastructural development through the construction of 50 mega dams and 1,000 smaller ones, the dualing of 2,500 kilometers of roads, and the construction of 28,000 new kilometers. The LAPSSET project, estimated to cost Ksh 1.5 trillion and considered one of the most impactful of the 9 main highways of Africa under Agenda 2063, has the potential to create over 16 million new jobs.
The fourth and most critical pillar is education and human capital development, especially in a globally knowledge-based economy, with Africa accounting for 18% of the global population—a figure expected to rise to 25% by 2050 and 50% by 2100. Kenya has risen to become the 6th largest economy on the continent, up from the 8th position according to the IMF, making it the 3rd largest economy after Nigeria and South Africa. Additionally, we have attracted the most inflows for startup capital, and private sector lending and growth has risen from negative 2 to positive 3 since 2022. This indicates that the country can significantly renew itself through this new initiative. Of importance, are 2 key funds namely; the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund that will help in mobilizing capital primarily from our mature assets, securitization of stable revenue streams, and royalties from our natural resources.
The BETA Plan is thus Kenya’s springboard to the Singapore dream, driving the country toward first-world status through asset-led growth and large-scale infrastructure. The Ksh 5 trillion Singapore Plan will help lift over 10 million people out of poverty by reducing unemployment and prioritizing agriculture, energy, transport, and human capital. This is the new Kenya in the making.
The BETA Pillars translate this ambition into action by building prosperity from the bottom up for every ‘mwananchi.’ Agriculture lays the foundation of the Singapore dream by securing food and income. The government is transforming 2 million farmersinto surplus producers, organizing 1,350 ward cooperatives, distributing 24 million bagsof subsidized fertilizer, creating 8 million jobs, and cutting food imports while reducing food-poor families from 2 million to fewer than 200,000. This ensures “pesa mfukoni,”positioning Kenya as an economic powerhouse. Additionally, the government has turned hustle into income by supporting the informal economy that employs 17 million Kenyans, disbursing KSh 82 billionto 26 million Hustler Fund borrowers, issuing 121,800 NYOTA grants to support young entrepreneurs, and anchoring enterprise growth through industrial parks in all 47 counties.
On Affordable Housing & Markets,the government has cleared slums and restored dignity by constructing 239,446 affordable housing units, delivering homes starting from KSh 3,800 per month, building 50,767student housing units, creating 488,000 jobs, and paying KSh 4.4 billion to Jua Kali artisans.
Regarding Universal Health Coverage (Taifa Care), the government has protected families from medical poverty by deploying 107,000 community health promoters, maintaining over 90% medicine availability, and delivering universal, income-based health coverage, with over 29 million Kenyans enrolled to date.
Moreover, on the digital superhighway & the creative economy,the government has connected Kenyans to opportunities by expanding fiber from 8,000 kmto 30,000 km, rolling out 1,500 public Wi-Fi hotspots, establishing 1,450 digital hubs, tripling digital jobs from 99,000to 297,000, and training over 2 millionyouth.
The progress we are witnessing makes it evident that H.E. President William Samoei Ruto has a grand vision for the country. Moving forward, Kenya needs such a committed head of state and government. We have one of the rare leaders of our generation, focused on transforming this great country, and we need to give him the time necessary to fulfill his agenda for both the present and future generations in Kenya and the African continent.
Isaac Mwaura is the government’s spokesperson
