Kenya Vision 2030 - Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles

To ensure that economic, social and political governance gains made under the Vision are neither reversed nor lost as a result of change in ruling parties, the following eight governance principles will be adhered to:

1. Constitutional supremacy: Supremacy of the constitution shall be respected at all times. This will guarantee individual rights as stated in the Bill of Rights and the property rights of Kenyan and international investors.
2. Sovereignty of the people: This calls for the acknowledgment of the fact that in a constitutional democracy like Kenya, the government derives all its just powers from the people it governs.
3. Equality of citizens: Kenya shall be a nation that treats its women and men equally. It will not discriminate any citizen on the basis of gender, race, tribe, religion or ancestral origin.
4. National values, goals and ideology: In the pursuit of economic, social and political aspirations, Kenyans shall formulate and adopt a core set of national values, goals and a political ideology supportive of Vision 2030, these will include acknowledgement of the significance of God to the Kenyan people and an affirmation of the religious, cultural and ethnic diversity of Kenyans. It will also affirm the indivisibility of Kenya as a nation and her commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
5. A viable political party system: Kenya aims at a strong and viable political party system that will be guided by policy and ideological differences rather than region of ethnicity. Under Vision 2030, founding of political parties on religious, linguistic, racial, ethnic, gender, corporate or regional basis will be prohibited. This is in line with the just enacted Political Parties Bill. All political parties will be obliged to subscribe to a legally-binding Code of Conduct. There will be a clear definition of circumstances under which a party may be de-registered or reinstated. The delegation of state functions to (or the use of state resources by) political parties will not be permitted. Political parties will be required to publish their manifestos before participating in elections.
6. Public participation in governance: Kenyans shall appreciate the values of tolerance and respect for differences in opinion in a competitive society.
7. Separation of powers: The implementation of Vision 2030 depends on the enhancement of the capacity of the three arms of government (Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary). These institutions are independently functioning in a manner that enhances the implementation of Vision 2030.
8. Decentralisation: Vision 2030 uses devolved funds to strengthen decentralization of development projects at the community level. Improved planning and coordination of such projects at the local level will be accorded priority in realizing this goal.