Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has cautioned that Kenya’s long-term development plans under Vision 2030 and Vision 2060 will likely fail if corruption remains unchecked and transparency in public resource management is not improved.

Speaking during a television interview on August 13, 2026, Maanzo highlighted the Galana-Kulalu food security project as a prime example where mismanagement and corruption undermined national development efforts. Having served on the National Assembly’s Agriculture Committee, which reviewed the project, he noted the vast potential Kenya has in land and resources but stressed that corruption is a major obstacle.

“We have enough land, we have the resources, but corruption kills this country,” Maanzo said, pointing out that billions of shillings invested through local and international loans failed to yield the expected benefits. He lamented the lost opportunity to improve food security and grow the economy, warning that without addressing corruption, Kenya risks social upheaval.

He further criticised the lack of accountability, noting that some officials involved in the project’s failures have not faced prosecution and remain in government positions.

Impact on Kenya’s Development and Economy

  • Proper execution of agricultural initiatives could reduce Kenya’s reliance on borrowing by boosting food production and exports.
  • Effective project management would contribute to building national wealth and enhancing food security.
  • Currently, the cycle of borrowing continues without generating adequate returns, leading to funds being diverted through corrupt practices.

“If that had been done very well, we would be marketing, we would have enough food for ourselves, we would be marketing, and we would be growing the sovereign wealth of the country without borrowing,” Maanzo said.

As Kenya evaluates progress under Vision 2030 and plans for future milestones up to 2060, Maanzo emphasised that development requires more than policy statements. It demands robust oversight, transparency, and consequences for misuse of public funds.

He concluded that combating corruption must be central to Kenya’s development strategy to realise the country’s long-term ambitions.