Kalonzo slams Kenya’s comparison to Singapore as diplomatically embarrassing
By Cy Muganda, January 10, 2026Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has strongly criticised the government’s comparison of Kenya to Singapore, describing it as diplomatically embarrassing and a sign of poor leadership vision.
Speaking during the funeral of the late Mzee Jonathan Kiilu in Machakos County on Friday, January 10, 2026, the former Vice President said countries should set their own development visions rather than comparing themselves to others.
Kalonzo took issue with the government’s frequent references to Singapore as a model Kenya should emulate, arguing that such comparisons diminish the country’s standing.
“First of all, it’s diplomatically embarrassing. You don’t compare your country with another country,” Kalonzo stated.
Continental and national visions
He suggested that Kenya should instead develop homegrown development frameworks similar to Vision 2030, which was launched during the Grand Coalition Government in which he served as Vice President.
“You do what Kibaki and ourselves did, Vision 2030,” Kalonzo reiterated.
The Wiper leader highlighted continental and national long-term planning frameworks as more appropriate approaches for sustainable development.
“The African Union is now saying the entire African continent by 2063 must be different. You can even talk about Vision 100, Kenya at 100 years. You cannot say Kenya… it’s shameful. Even the people of Singapore are wondering what kind of people these are,” Kalonzo said.
Another failed initiative
The former Vice President dismissed the Singapore comparison as another unsuccessful government initiative, likening it to the Hustler Fund, which has faced criticism over its implementation and impact.
“But so this thing is a flop and is another attempt like the Hustler Fund, Hustler Fund,” Kalonzo stated.
Singapore dream under scrutiny
His remarks build on earlier criticism of Ruto’s so-called “Singapore dream,” which Kalonzo has described as an empty façade unlikely to materialise for Kenya.
In an interview on Sunday, December 21, 2025, he questioned the feasibility of the plan, citing a dwindling economy and regional business migration.
“How do you make Kenya Singapore when 6000 companies have migrated to Tanzania, to Uganda and our youth are unemployed?” he posed.
“What Ruto has done is to throw a dead cat syndrome on the table,” he added.