Speaking on Wednesday, January 14, Nyoro said comparisons between Kenya and Singapore are largely misplaced, noting that the two countries differ significantly in size, population and economic maturity.
According to the lawmaker, South Korea presents a more realistic benchmark for Kenya’s development journey.
“The economy that is actually very close to what Kenya should emulate is South Korea,” Nyoro said.
According to the lawmaker, South Korea presents a more realistic benchmark for Kenya’s development journey.
“The economy that is actually very close to what Kenya should emulate is South Korea,” Nyoro said.
“If you compare Kenya to Singapore, the difference is massive. Singapore is smaller than some counties in Kenya, both geographically and population-wise.”
Nyoro noted that Kenya and South Korea both have populations of around 50 million people and share similar ambitions of promoting a private sector–driven capitalist economy.
“Our population is in the same range as South Korea, and our economic ideals blend,” he explained.
Nyoro noted that Kenya and South Korea both have populations of around 50 million people and share similar ambitions of promoting a private sector–driven capitalist economy.
“Our population is in the same range as South Korea, and our economic ideals blend,” he explained.
“Our aspiration is to grow through private sector–led capitalism, and South Korea successfully advanced using that model.”
Why Singapore Is the Wrong Comparison
The Kiharu MP maintained that Kenya’s economic fundamentals make comparisons with Singapore impractical.
He pointed out that Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita stands at approximately $90,000, while Kenya’s is estimated at about $3,000.
“In economics, you can’t compare outcomes using completely different benchmarks,” Nyoro said.
Why Singapore Is the Wrong Comparison
The Kiharu MP maintained that Kenya’s economic fundamentals make comparisons with Singapore impractical.
He pointed out that Singapore’s gross domestic product (GDP) per capita stands at approximately $90,000, while Kenya’s is estimated at about $3,000.
“In economics, you can’t compare outcomes using completely different benchmarks,” Nyoro said.
“If you are a banana farmer, you cannot measure your success using oranges or pears.”
Nyoro further highlighted the role of the state in Singapore’s economy, arguing that the city-state’s growth model relied heavily on government involvement, especially during its early development stages.
“If you look at the Singapore stock market, many of the top companies are dominated by Temasek, which shows how strong state capitalism was in building that economy,” he said.
He added that Kenya’s current economic structure and institutional capacity differ significantly from Singapore’s, making direct imitation unrealistic.
Nyoro’s remarks come against the backdrop of President William Ruto’s ambitious development agenda, which seeks to transform Kenya into a first-world economy.
During his State of the Nation address on November 20, 2025, President Ruto outlined a long-term plan inspired by countries such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.
The President announced plans for large-scale infrastructure investments estimated to cost over KSh5 trillion, to be financed through innovative mechanisms including a National Infrastructure Fund and a proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund, rather than additional borrowing or new taxes.
Among the flagship projects outlined were the construction of more than 2,500 kilometres of dual carriage highways, the tarmacking of 28,000 kilometres of roads, the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Malaba, and the construction of at least 50 mega dams alongside hundreds of smaller ones to expand irrigation to 2.5 million acres.
President Ruto said the initial capital for the funds would come from natural resource revenues and proceeds from the privatisation of state assets.
He described the plan as a “generational strategy” aimed at preserving national value, mobilising capital, accelerating development and positioning Kenya as a stronger, wealthier and more competitive economy.
Nyoro’s comments are likely to fuel ongoing debate about Kenya’s economic direction, with analysts divided on which development model best suits the country’s realities.
While some leaders advocate for emulating highly advanced economies such as Singapore, others argue that Kenya should focus on countries that faced similar development challenges before achieving economic transformation.
Nyoro further highlighted the role of the state in Singapore’s economy, arguing that the city-state’s growth model relied heavily on government involvement, especially during its early development stages.
“If you look at the Singapore stock market, many of the top companies are dominated by Temasek, which shows how strong state capitalism was in building that economy,” he said.
He added that Kenya’s current economic structure and institutional capacity differ significantly from Singapore’s, making direct imitation unrealistic.
Nyoro’s remarks come against the backdrop of President William Ruto’s ambitious development agenda, which seeks to transform Kenya into a first-world economy.
During his State of the Nation address on November 20, 2025, President Ruto outlined a long-term plan inspired by countries such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.
The President announced plans for large-scale infrastructure investments estimated to cost over KSh5 trillion, to be financed through innovative mechanisms including a National Infrastructure Fund and a proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund, rather than additional borrowing or new taxes.
Among the flagship projects outlined were the construction of more than 2,500 kilometres of dual carriage highways, the tarmacking of 28,000 kilometres of roads, the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Malaba, and the construction of at least 50 mega dams alongside hundreds of smaller ones to expand irrigation to 2.5 million acres.
President Ruto said the initial capital for the funds would come from natural resource revenues and proceeds from the privatisation of state assets.
He described the plan as a “generational strategy” aimed at preserving national value, mobilising capital, accelerating development and positioning Kenya as a stronger, wealthier and more competitive economy.
Nyoro’s comments are likely to fuel ongoing debate about Kenya’s economic direction, with analysts divided on which development model best suits the country’s realities.
While some leaders advocate for emulating highly advanced economies such as Singapore, others argue that Kenya should focus on countries that faced similar development challenges before achieving economic transformation.
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