Ruto said the National Conversation on Kenya’s transformation beyond 2030, which began on Wednesday, August 12, must go beyond economic development and address the changing security environment facing the country.
“The National Conversation on the transformation of our country beyond 2030 that began yesterday must include the security of the nation we seek to build,” Ruto said.
The President spoke on Thursday, August 13, while presiding over the passing-out parade of the first cohort of 2025 recruits at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Recruits Training School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Ruto Links National Security to Kenya’s Development
Ruto rejected the idea that Kenya must choose between security and development, arguing that the two priorities are closely connected.
“Security and development are not competing priorities. Security enables development, and development strengthens security,” the President said.
His remarks come as the Government and other stakeholders engage in discussions on the country’s priorities beyond Kenya Vision 2030, the long-term development blueprint whose implementation horizon is approaching its conclusion.
Ruto said Kenya’s next phase of development requires a broader understanding of national security capable of protecting both citizens and the systems that support the economy.
Kenya’s Security Agenda Must Go Beyond Borders
According to Ruto, traditional national security priorities can no longer be limited to protecting Kenya’s territorial borders.
He said the country must also protect its digital infrastructure, critical installations, food and energy systems, territorial waters and other strategic pillars of a modern economy.
“As we look beyond Vision 2030, national security must extend beyond protecting our borders to securing our digital systems, critical infrastructure, food and energy systems, our territorial waters and the other pillars of a modern economy,” Ruto said.
The President's remarks highlight the growing importance of cybersecurity, energy security, food security and maritime security as Kenya prepares for a more technology-driven economy.
Ruto Warns of Emerging Security Threats
Ruto also warned that the nature of warfare and national security threats is changing rapidly.
He said Kenya must strengthen its preparedness for threats emerging from cyberspace and new technologies while also responding to challenges linked to climate change and public health.
“At the same time, the battlefield is changing, and Kenya must be prepared for emerging threats occasioned by cyberspace, artificial intelligence, climate shocks and new disease outbreaks, among other frontiers,” he said.
The reference to artificial intelligence comes as governments around the world grapple with the security implications of rapidly developing technologies, including cyberattacks, misinformation, automated systems and the protection of sensitive data.
For Kenya, Ruto's remarks suggest that the country's post-2030 security strategy will need to incorporate both traditional military preparedness and new forms of technological and non-traditional security.
Government to Invest in KDF Training and Readiness
The President said his administration would continue investing in the welfare, training and readiness of the Kenya Defence Forces.
He said the Government would particularly strengthen capabilities in areas considered increasingly important to modern national security.
“The Government will continue investing in the welfare, the training, and the readiness of the Kenya Defence Forces,” Ruto said.
“We will strengthen our capabilities in cybersecurity, intelligence, maritime security, and military medicine,” he added.
The areas identified by the President point to a broader security strategy in which the military and other national security agencies are expected to respond to both conventional and emerging threats.
Ruto Promises Better Welfare for KDF Personnel
Beyond military capabilities, Ruto said the Government would continue paying attention to the welfare of members of the KDF and their families.
He said those serving the country deserve recognition and dignity for their contribution to national security.
“We will also ensure that those who serve, and their families, receive the dignity and recognition they have earned,” Ruto said.
The President's remarks came as he congratulated the newly trained recruits who completed their military training and officially joined the country's defence forces.
‘KDF Must Secure the Kenya We Intend to Become’
Ruto said the role of the KDF should not be limited to defending Kenya's present interests.
He challenged the military to remain prepared for the security needs of a changing country as Kenya pursues its long-term economic and social transformation.
“KDF must not simply defend the Kenya of today; it must also secure the Kenya we intend to become,” Ruto said.
The President congratulated the graduates for successfully completing what he described as a demanding training programme.
“Congratulations to all the graduates on successfully completing a very demanding course. Serve with courage, discipline and restraint,” he said.
National Conversation Beyond 2030
Ruto's remarks add a national security dimension to Kenya's conversation on the country's future beyond 2030.
The ongoing discussions are expected to examine the priorities that will shape Kenya after the Vision 2030 period, including economic growth, infrastructure, technology, human capital, governance and national security.
By placing security alongside development, Ruto argued that Kenya's long-term transformation will depend not only on economic investment but also on the country's ability to protect the systems, institutions and people underpinning that growth.
The President's message was clear: Kenya's post-2030 development agenda must be built around a security strategy capable of confronting both traditional threats and the rapidly changing challenges of the modern world.
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