Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has launched a scathing criticism of President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of abandoning Kenya’s long-term development blueprint, Vision 2030, and failing to prioritize national planning and accountability.

Speaking on Friday, May 23, 2025, during the 42nd Annual Seminar of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) in Mombasa, Kalonzo said the country has lost its developmental conscience, warning that slogans alone cannot steer Kenya toward sustainable growth.

In his address themed around ‘The Role of Professionals in National Growth and Transformation,’ Kalonzo argued that professionals must help steer the country back to the founding aspirations laid out in Vision 2030.

“We have to get our conscience back,” he stated. “Every Kenyan is entitled to the highest quality of life, and that’s what Vision 2030 promised.”

He further proposed that the country can and should offer free primary, secondary, and university education in public schools, a bold agenda he hinted could be part of his Executive Order No. 2 if he ascends to power.

“But we can only achieve this if we stop the stealing,” he declared. “There will be free university education if corruption is addressed.”

Lost momentum

Kalonzo criticised the Ruto-led government for what he called a near-total abandonment of Vision 2030, a plan aimed at transforming Kenya into a globally competitive and industrializing middle-income country by 2030. The strategy was launched in 2008 and anchored on three pillars: economic, social, and political governance.

“What are you hearing? Do you hear this administration talk about Vision 2030? No. What you hear is bottom-up,” Kalonzo scoffed. “Kenyans, I think we need to go for a mental check-up. All of us.”

He contrasted the current regime’s approach to that of former President Mwai Kibaki, praising the late leader for his data-driven development approach.

“President Kibaki was a foremost economist. When he was Finance Minister, he even appeared in Time magazine as one of the most promising global leaders. We had vision and structure,” Kalonzo said.

Stalled projects

Kalonzo expressed dismay over stalled or neglected Vision 2030 projects, especially the High Grand Falls Dam, which he said was meant to generate 650 megawatts of electricity, boost national power connectivity, and expand irrigation from the Tana River to Garissa.

“This project should have been implemented by now. Instead, it’s been shelved,” he said. “And yet at midnight, we still import electricity from Uganda’s Owen Falls Dam. Isn’t that ironic?”

He lamented the broader neglect of agricultural potential and the plight of small-scale traders, noting, “Even the mama mbogas, they are forgotten.”

Kalonzo’s speech also served as a call to action for professionals, urging them to challenge poor governance and push for the implementation of evidence-based policies rooted in accountability.

“If we’re serious about transformation, let’s bring Vision 2030 back to life,” he concluded. “No more slogans. Let’s act.”