Ruto Announces Establishment of New Fund to Raise Ksh 1.5 Trillion

President William Ruto has announced plans to establish a new fund aimed at raising Ksh 1.5 trillion for the construction of roads across the country.

Speaking on Monday, October 27, during the launch of the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme in Nakuru County, Ruto stated that the government is in the process of implementing the National Infrastructure Fund.

He explained that the current government budget alone cannot sustain the construction of roads across Kenya, hence the need for the new initiative.

Ruto Announces National Infrastructure Fund for Road Construction

The Head of State said the government will soon table a proposal in Parliament to establish the National Infrastructure Fund, which will help mobilize resources to complete stalled projects and construct new roads.

“We have roads that have stalled for years because we don’t have enough budget. We have planned very well as a government. It is not just here in Nakuru; I have toured several parts of the country, and the biggest demand from Kenyans is roads — and that is true,” Ruto said.

“We already have a plan as a government, and we are going to Parliament to establish a new fund — the National Infrastructure Fund — that will help us build and complete enough roads across the country.”

Why the Fund Will Be Established

The President emphasized that the current approach to road construction is unsustainable and that innovative funding mechanisms are required to meet the country’s infrastructure needs.

“We have to find a new way to construct roads. We cannot continue with the current approach because it cannot deliver the road network we need,” he added.

“We need a lot of money. I have estimated that to build the number of roads we require as a nation, we need approximately Ksh 1.5 trillion. That money cannot be raised solely from our budget. We must start thinking differently.”

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He noted that better road networks are vital for economic growth, especially in enabling farmers to transport their produce efficiently.

At the same time, the head of State announced that the government will seek resources through various means, including privatization, to ensure the construction of sufficient roads across the country.

“To grow our economy, we need another 10,000 kilometers of new tarmac roads. We will mobilize resources through the budget, privatization, capital markets, and public-private partnerships to achieve this.”

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Ruto urged Members of Parliament to support the plan, noting that the government is ready to roll out the initiative to address the growing demand for improved road infrastructure across the country.

“I am telling Members of Parliament to prepare themselves because, as a government, we are already prepared — Kenyans want adequate roads,” he said.

At the same time, the Head of State revealed that starting in November, the government will begin the dualling of the Nairobi–Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway as part of a plan to incorporate the private sector in road construction.

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