Ruto Alleges Kenyans Must Abandon Old Leadership Style to Achieve ‘Singapore Dream’

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President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to support bold and sometimes unpopular reforms, arguing that the country must abandon what he described as the leadership approach inherited from the era of Kenya’s founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, in order to achieve rapid economic transformation similar to Singapore.

Speaking during a public address on development and governance, President Ruto said Kenya has for decades remained trapped in old systems that discourage tough decision-making.

According to the Head of State, the continued reliance on conservative leadership methods has slowed progress and prevented the country from fully unlocking its economic potential.

Ruto drew a comparison between Kenya and Singapore, noting that although Singapore attained self-governance in 1959 and Kenya gained independence in 1963, the two countries took very different paths.

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He explained that Singapore’s founding leaders made difficult and sometimes painful decisions, prioritizing discipline, accountability, and long-term planning over short-term political comfort.

“The leaders in Singapore were supported by their people even when decisions were tough. That unity and sacrifice is what transformed the country into a global economic powerhouse,” Ruto said.

The President argued that Kenya, on the other hand, remained cautious and fearful of decisive reforms, a trend he said was rooted in early post-independence governance.

He insisted that his administration is determined to change that trajectory through aggressive development policies.

Ruto cited the affordable housing programme as one of the key pillars of his economic agenda, saying it aims to create jobs, improve living standards, and stimulate industrial growth. He added that such initiatives require public support and patience to bear fruit.

He urged Kenyans to stand with his government and embrace reforms aimed at restructuring the economy, improving productivity, and strengthening institutions.

According to Ruto, achieving the “Singapore dream” will only be possible if citizens support bold leadership and move away from outdated systems that no longer serve the country’s development goals.

The President maintained that with unity and commitment, Kenya can rise to become a first-world economy within a generation.