DP Kindiki seek development partners’ help to make Kenya first world class nation
Despite Kenya being ranked as a lower-middle income country, Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki says Kenya is strengthening its partnership with development partners and agencies to fast track realisation of the country’s first-world status.
“President Ruto’s vision of elevating Kenya to similar economic status as Asian Tigers such as Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea is achievable and requires input by everyone including the partners,” stated Kindiki.
Kindiki made the remarks today, January 14, 2026 when he co-chaired the 14th Development Partners Forum at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi.
According to official records by the World Bank, it officially classifies Kenya as a lower-middle-income country.
This status was achieved in 2014 when its Gross National Income (GNI) per capita surpassed the relevant threshold at that time. For the current 2026 fiscal year, the World Bank defines lower-middle-income economies as those with a GNI per capita between $1,136 and $4,495. Kenya’s GNI per capita was approximately $2,110 as of a recent estimate.
“Our next vision is clear: to transform Kenya into a first-world economy within a generation. We are persuaded beyond doubt that if other countries elsewhere have done it, Kenya has what it takes to do it as well. South Korea did it, Malaysia did it, Singapore did it. There is absolutely no reason why Kenya cannot do it,” Kindiki pointed out.
Present at the Forum were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, United Nations Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson (Co-Chair), Germany Ambassador Sebastian Groth (also a Co-Chair), ambassadors and representatives of various development agencies among other dignitaries.
The second in command noted that Kenya is keen to exploit every available resource locally and internationally to speed up economic transformation.
