The men behind Ruto's next big plan for Kenya

Prof Peter Anyang' Nyong'o

Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang' Nyong'o left an indelible mark on Kenya's development agenda as Minister for Planning and National Development, where he developed and played a key role in implementing the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper for wealth and employment creation—the blueprint that guided the Narc government's development agenda.

The strategy provided the intellectual foundation for the Economic Stimulus Programme, while Kenya Vision 2030—the country's long-term development blueprint—was also in part his brainchild, designed to propel Kenya to middle-income status by 2030.

Nyong'o, a distinguished academician, was the first Kenyan to receive a First-Class Honours degree from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Political Science at the University of East Africa, the region's oldest institution of higher learning.

As Minister for Medical Services, he spearheaded transformative reforms at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), restructuring it from an agency into an independent authority shielded from political interference and granted direct funding from the Treasury.

He also transformed the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) into the National Health Insurance Fund, laying the groundwork for universal healthcare coverage. Together with Charity Ngilu in 2004, he initiated the process toward universal health coverage for all Kenyans. [Brian Ngugi]

A former Senator, Member of Parliament for Kisumu Rural, and Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement, Nyong'o's tenure in Parliament saw the construction of several schools and the expansion and upgrading of many more. Through his extensive academic networks, he awarded numerous scholarships to needy students to pursue studies at universities locally and abroad.

Prof Hiroyuki Hino

A former economic adviser to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, co-led the team that developed proposals for Kenya's post-Vision 2030 development framework alongside Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang' Nyong'o.

The Japanese national joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1975, rising through the ranks to become Senior Advisor and mission chief for the Fund's work in assisting several African countries. He served as Director of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Tokyo from July 2002 to August 2005.

For most of his career, Hino worked on IMF policy development as a senior staff member in the Exchange and Trade Relations Department, now the Policy Development and Review Department, shaping Fund policy on critical economic issues.

Hino holds a Bachelor's degree from Sophia University in Japan and a PhD in Economics from the University of Rochester in the United States. He was Professor of Economics at Kobe University in Japan from 1996 to 1997.

He is currently a fellow at Duke University in the United States.