Nandi residents have hailed the proposed Vision 2060 development blueprint, saying its ambition targets should translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
The residents said the long-term plan provides an opportunity for the country to think beyond short political cycles and establish a development path that can be sustained by successive administrations.
The proposed Vision 2060 is intended to succeed Vision 2030 and provide a long-term framework for Kenya’s economic and social transformation.
They said they were particularly interested in whether the plan would deliver better opportunities in agriculture, education, healthcare, employment, infrastructure, and enterprise development.
An Economist, Peter Kibiwott, said the success of Vision 2060 would depend less on the document itself and more on the country’s ability to consistently implement its programmes.
“Vision 2060 should not become another beautiful document that is shelved when political leadership changes. What Kenyans need is continuity, measurable targets, and accountability so that every generation can see what has been achieved,” he said.
The economist stated that the citizenry has for a long time been treated to the launch of meticulous blueprints that never came to fruition, but this time round the government should implement the grand plan.
Farmer Moses Rono said agriculture should occupy a central position in the blueprint because millions of Kenyans still depend on farming for their livelihoods.
“We want a Vision 2060 that recognizes the farmer as an important player in the economy. Investment in irrigation, research, mechanisation, affordable inputs, storage, and value addition would enable farmers to earn more from what they produce,” he said.
A woman leader, Mary Cheruto, stated that women and young people should be at the center of the long-term development agenda, arguing that economic transformation would remain incomplete if large sections of the population continued to struggle to access capital and employment.
She called for greater investment in skills development, entrepreneurship, affordable credit, and digital opportunities to enable young people to become job creators rather than job seekers.
A community elder, Rotich Sang, said Kenyans wanted the projected achievements of Vision 2060 to become a reality rather than remain political promises.
“People are not opposed to long-term plans. What they want is evidence that these plans will improve their lives. We want better roads, reliable healthcare, quality education, water, jobs, and opportunities for our children,” he said.
They said the blueprint should also promote national unity, responsible leadership, and equitable distribution of resources to ensure that no region or community is left behind.
The residents’ ultimate measure of Vision 2060 will be whether its promises eventually improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens and create a stronger economic and social foundation for future generations.
By Sammy Mwibanda
