Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma has backed President William Ruto’s plan to move Kenya from third-world to first-world status.

Taking to X on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the vocal lawmaker shared an old video clip of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, where the former Head of State was recorded saying Kenya has all it takes to match the ‘Asian’ tigers, including Singapore, in matters of development.

”It is possible for Kenya to be a first-world country. All we need is clear vision, political goodwill and focused implementation plan. Thank you President ⁦William Ruto, for your visionary and focused leadership. We are going to Canaan through Singapore!” Kaluma wrote.

Kaluma’s sentiments follow the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU–Kenya) backing of the newly established  National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), meant to spur national infrastructural development, terming it a long-overdue and necessary step toward transforming Kenya into a modern, competitive, and dignified society.

In a statement issued by Secretary-General Francis Atwoli on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, COTU stated that Kenya has for decades postponed the decisive structural reforms required to close persistent infrastructure gaps that continue to undermine economic growth, job creation, and social development.

”The establishment of a martial plan to transform our country into a modern society has been long overdue, and for that reason, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K), wishes to strongly support the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF),” the statement read in part.

Reacting a day after the cabinet, chaired by President William Ruto, rolled out the Fund on Monday, December 15, 2025, to raise Ksh5 trillion in a bid to move Kenya from third-world to first-world class, the union body argued that the country can no longer afford short-term thinking while underdevelopment remains widespread.

COTU has maintained that no nation develops by accident, emphasising that deliberate and sustained investment in infrastructure is essential for attracting investment and creating employment. The organisation highlighted key areas requiring long-term financing, including roads and railways, ports and airports, energy, affordable housing, water and sanitation, digital infrastructure, logistics systems, and resilient urban planning.

However, Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has scoffed at the particular ambition, saying it is an empty façade which will not materialise for Kenya. In an interview on a local TV station on Sunday, December 21, 2025, Kalonzo said the dream is unrealistic, especially when the economy is dwindling.