President William Ruto has announced that the National Government is advancing plans to establish a National Infrastructure Fund, a financing mechanism aimed at addressing Kenya’s growing infrastructure needs, particularly in the roads sector.
Speaking during the launch of the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme in Kuresoi, Nakuru County, President Ruto stated that there are infrastructural gaps that ought to be addressed in order to ensure that every Kenyan can contribute to national development.
“If we are to grow our economy, enable farmers to transport their produce, and allow every Kenyan to effectively participate in building our nation’s prosperity, then we must construct at least 10,000 kilometres of new tarmac roads. To achieve this, we need about Ksh 1.5 trillion,” President Ruto said.
The Head of State stressed that traditional funding methods for road projects through government budgets alone are no longer adequate.
“We have to think outside the box. We cannot continue building roads the old way because it will not give us the infrastructure we need. That is why we are creating the National Infrastructure Fund, to mobilize resources from the budget, asset privatization, capital markets and public-private partnerships.” he said
President Ruto urged Members of Parliament to support the legislation necessary to operationalize the fund once it is presented in Parliament, asserting that it offers the most sustainable solution for addressing Kenya’s infrastructure deficit.
“I urge MPs to prepare the same way the Executive is prepared. Kenyans are demanding more roads, and that is why we need a special fund that will help us build modern, quality roads in every part of the country,” he noted.
Nairobi–Mau Summit Expansion to Malaba
President Ruto also confirmed that the long-awaited expansion of the Nairobi–Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway will commence next month, but with an expanded scope.
“By next month, we will officially begin construction from Nairobi through Nakuru to Mau Summit. However, I have stated that I don’t want it to stop there. I want it extended to Kericho, Kisumu, Eldoret, and all the way to Malaba,” he declared.
He added that sections of the road will be upgraded to accommodate increasing traffic volumes.
“The highway will feature four lanes from Nairobi using the expressway and via Mai Mahiu, merging at Naivasha. From Naivasha to Nakuru, it will be expanded to six lanes due to anticipated traffic,” he explained.
The President noted that this project will be implemented through a special financing scheme involving the private sector, highlighting that past projects had stalled due to budget constraints.
