Former Senate Speaker and Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka have defended President Ruto’s ambitious plan to elevate Kenya to the economic status of Singapore. He argues that the process is viable if the right measures are implemented.

In an exclusive interview with a local TV station on Thursday, January 22, 2026, Lusaka highlighted key measures and areas that the government has prioritised. He emphasised that these initiatives are crucial for gradually turning the ambitious goal of mirroring Singapore’s development into reality, with a focus on achieving short-term objectives.

“What President Ruto is telling Kenyans is that Kenya is not going to become Singapore overnight, but you must start believing that Kenya can reach the same level of development that Singapore has achieved,” argued Lusaka

Journey to Singapore

Lusaka has argued about the key development agenda that the government has taken in comparison to what Singapore started as just a mere dream, and turned into a reality. Defending the affordable housing project, infrastructural development being put in place by the government, the universal health project and urban planning as the key drivers to the economic journey that President Ruto has embarked on.

80 per cent of Singapore’s people live in houses built by the government. Looking at the infrastructure, that is exactly what is happening in Kenya, urban planning. Look at our towns, talk about universal health care, SHA, manufacturing industry, because one of the things Singapore did was to invest in manufacturing, and that is what Ruto is doing. This is what will make Kenya what Singapore is,” added Lusaka

Setback to Singapore

Lusaka has disputed naysayers who think the dream is not viable, saying that the only thing that the government has to do is to further ignite the fight against corruption, as it is the main drawback that could hinder the dream for Kenya to be like Singapore.

Singapore’s growth

Singapore attained independence 2 years later than Kenya, and its growth has been attributed to high value sector, manufacturing and innovation.