Ruto will transform Kenya into an industrialized country

William Ruto, the President of Kenya, who has referred to himself as a "leader" this year, announced on September 24 that he will transform Kenya into an industrialized country.

He spoke during an interview with Reuters at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations during the 80th General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) in New York, USA. President William Ruto declared his government firmly resolved to transform Kenya into an industrialized nation. This path was irreversible and would be pursued "at all costs." Speaking at the goat auction in Kimalel, Baringo, the head of state said Kenya would follow the same development path as countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, which were once considered developing nations. William Ruto's plan is simple: he wants to classify Kenya as a "First World country." That's not so easy. First, we need to define what constitutes a "First World country" and what defines it. The term "first-world country" is widely used, but its meaning has changed considerably. It is not an official designation, but rather a socio-economic concept with historical and modern interpretations. The following explains what constitutes a "first world country" today – from the original definition to its current meaning. The original definition (from the time of the Cold War, because that's where the term originated). The First World consisted of: The United States and its capitalist, democratic allies (Western Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.). The Second World consisted of: The Soviet Union and its communist, socialist allies (Eastern Bloc, China, Cuba, etc.). The Third World consisted of: all other countries that did not belong to either of the two blocs, including many poor developing countries. This definition was purely political and ideological, not economic. However, since the First World bloc was largely wealthy and the Third World largely poor, the term became an economic shorthand. There is a modern socioeconomic definition. Today, "First World" is often used synonymously with highly developed, industrialized, wealthy, and stable nations. More precise terms nowadays are "industrialized country," "advanced economy," or "high-income country." The main characteristics of this "First World" are economic prosperity. High GDP per capita: This is the most basic measure – the average economic output per person. It indicates a high standard of living. The economy must not be dependent on a single industry (such as oil or agriculture). It needs to be strong in technology, services, finance, and advanced manufacturing. Strong, stable currencies and financial systems should be guaranteed. Well-regulated banks, stock markets, and low inflation. It has an advanced infrastructure. Extensive networks of paved roads, highways, railways, airports and public transport. Universal access to electricity, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities and high-speed internet. Well-equipped hospitals and widespread access to medical care. A high quality of life and social services are essential. A high Human Development Index (HDI) would be beneficial. HDI is a UN indicator that combines life expectancy, education, and per capita income. Strong social safety nets. Government programs such as universal healthcare, unemployment benefits, state pensions, and social security. High literacy rate and advanced education system. Compulsory, high-quality education up to the end of secondary school and a high university enrollment rate. Political stability and governance. Stable democratic institutions. Regular, free and fair elections, peaceful transfers of power and a strong rule of law. Low levels of corruption. Transparent and accountable governments and institutions. Strong property rights and an independent judiciary. Protection for citizens and businesses. High levels of civil liberties. Freedom of opinion, of the press, of assembly and of religion. Technological and scientific progress Significant investments in research and development. Leader in innovation, science, and technology. High acceptance of technology. Widespread use of computers, smartphones and automation in everyday life and in industry. Important nuances and points of criticism are as follows: It's a spectrum, not a binary classification. There are borderline cases (e.g., Chile, UAE, Estonia) that have high incomes but may not meet all social or political criteria. These are often referred to as "rapidly industrialized countries" or "high-income economies." The term is somewhat outdated and derogatory; "Third World" is now considered offensive and reductive. Preferred terms are "developing countries," "low- and middle-income countries," or "Global South." Internal inequality. Even in a "First World" country, poverty, homelessness, and inequality can be widespread within its own borders (e.g., in the USA and Great Britain). No central authority decides. There is no official list. Organizations such as the IMF, the UN, and the World Bank use different classifications (e.g., "advanced economies" at the IMF). Essentially, an industrialized country in the modern sense is characterized by the fact that it offers its citizens a high standard of living, economic security and political freedoms through prosperity, an advanced industry, a robust infrastructure and a stable government. What is really behind this – rather ambitious – announcement? The path to achieving it will not be easy. Analyses suggest that Kenya's transformation process depends on profound structural change and not just economic growth. What should happen? Industrialization and export optimization should be promoted; The path should be taken from purely agricultural exports towards processed goods and high-quality services. Consideration should be given to leveraging the leading role in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) to create a global center for software and digital services. The focus should be on regional integration within the East African Community in order to create a larger market. Institutions and governance must be strengthened. This includes combating corruption and ensuring the consistent enforcement of contracts and property rights. To ensure political stability and continuity in policy across different governments. Investing in human capital and innovation means that this should be accompanied by an education reform focusing on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and technical skills. A significant increase in spending on research and development (R&D) should be initiated to promote innovation. It is what it is: a difficult path. It must be said that history shows that achieving this status is rare. Studies show that between 1960 and 2008, only about a dozen middle-income countries successfully transitioned to high-income economies. Important indicators must be monitored. Kenya faces interconnected economic, social, and political challenges. Following up on your previous question about characteristics of the "First World," Kenya's situation illustrates the reality many developing countries struggle with. Kenya's main problems can be divided into the following core areas. First and foremost, economic and fiscal stability. The debt crisis is a major problem. Public debt is high, and a large portion of it is denominated in foreign currencies, which makes repayment difficult. Then came the gradual currency devaluation. The Kenyan shilling has lost significant value against the US dollar. And as always and everywhere, corruption. Persistent corruption in land deals and public contracts exacerbates economic problems. Not to be forgotten is social and human development. The main problem here is poverty. In 2022, the poverty rate in Kenya was around 40%. Unemployment is a major problem. Opportunities are limited, especially for young people. It is estimated that youth unemployment could reach as high as 67%. Public services are limited. Access to quality education, healthcare, and clean water is restricted for many. What is being promoted is good governance and respect for human rights. There are abuses by security forces. There are reports of police brutality, extrajudicial killings and kidnappings, especially during anti-government protests. Civil society is under threat. Civil society groups and media are subjected to threats and intimidation. Gender-based violence is accepted. Violence against women and girls is widespread. Another problem is the climate. Droughts and other climate-related disasters threaten food security and livelihoods. High HIV/AIDS rates, drug abuse and limited access to mental and reproductive healthcare are major concerns. The debt crisis hangs over Kenya like the sword of Damocles. Many of Kenya's problems are related to its financial and debt crisis, which sets a vicious cycle in motion: Kenya has high levels of debt and austerity measures. In order to meet the IMF's loan conditions and avoid default, the government has tried to generate revenue through taxes, which often disproportionately burdens the poor. These austerity measures, combined with the high cost of living in 2023 and 2024, led to nationwide protests. The government responded to the protests with violence, while the costs of debt servicing crowded out spending on essential public services such as health and education. This situation makes it considerably more difficult for the government to invest in long-term solutions to combat poverty and unemployment, thus keeping the country trapped in a vicious cycle of economic hardship and social tensions. This section provides a simplified comparison of the most important indicators for Kenya with those of a typical industrialized country. This highlights the development gap. - GDP per capita in Kenya approx. US$1,949 | Comparison with industrialized countries: Often > US$30,000 - The poverty rate in Kenya is approximately 40% | In comparison to industrialized countries: typically < 15% - National debt (2023) in Kenya: 68% of GDP | Comparison with industrialized countries: Varies, but often high, yet with greater sustainability - remain the main challenge. Overcoming the debt crisis and financing basic development | Industrialized country: dealing with an aging population and advanced economic competition - The political context in Kenya: The fight against corruption and the protection of civil rights | Industrialized country: Generally stable, with strong institutions and the rule of law Thus, it can be said that Kenya's core problems are high debt, widespread poverty and unemployment, and governance issues including corruption and human rights violations. These problems are closely interrelated: the debt crisis limits the government's ability to address social problems, which in turn exacerbates public discontent. Keeping promises is crucial to regaining trust. Positive trends such as infrastructure projects and global alliances could bear fruit if they are not hampered by internal conflicts. However, observers warn that his focus on securing power (e.g., through ethnic mobilization) could be detrimental in the long run. Shortly after William Ruto took office, several corruption cases against close political allies were dropped, which critics interpreted as a sign of impunity. In 2024, Ruto received a record number of public nominations (over 40,000) for the title of "Most Corrupt Person of the Year" by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), reflecting the deep mistrust among the population. Ruto's strategy relies on creating new legal frameworks and digitizing public administration. However, whether these measures will lead to a genuine change in behavior among the political elite remains to be seen, given the ongoing protests and accusations of cronyism. And yes, there is reason for optimism because of his successes, but the challenges are enormous. A better future requires not only visions, but real implementation and inclusion. Kenyans should critically observe developments – the next few years leading up to the 2027 election will be crucial. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5901394/