Cabinet set to meet today on Monday to discuss and approve the structure of a multi-trillion shillings fund that would be crucial for upgrading the Kenyan economy “from third-world to first-world status,” according to President William Ruto.
While speaking on Sunday at the Africa Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) Karuri in Gatundu North Diocese, Kiambu County, President Ruto announced that the fund would become the key vehicle for raising Ksh5 trillion for funding economic transformation in the country.
“The funds will be invested in major infrastructure and productivity initiatives that would drive growth in key sectors of the economy,” announced the President.
Some of the investment areas that the plan intends to undertake include the improvement of high-quality infrastructure such as the Dualing of 2,500 km of highways, tarmacking of 28,000 km of roads, improvement of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, as well as development of the ports of Mombasa and Lamu. Additionally, the Kenyan government intends to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to the Ugandan border.
Aside from the development of infrastructure, the fund intends to improve food security and energy production. According to President Ruto, the plans by the government are to establish 50 mega dams, 200 mini-dams, and 1000 micro-dams, which would irrigate 2.5 million acres of agricultural land. This is also expected to enable the production of an extra 10,000 megawatts of electricity for the value-addition of products through industries.
“We are late in moving this country from the third world to first-world status, and getting rid of poverty and hunger,” the President is quoted to have said, adding that amount of investment was needed in order to unlock the country’s economic potential.
At the same time, President Ruto called on political leaders to diminish the levels of divisive politics for a more united and serving nation. He complained that some political leaders were already engaged in political battles to the detriment of the needs of ordinary citizens.
“Electionesi vichar ataty, parnyāgi sevā chaltee hui hāi,” he stated. “Chāhiye ham sab milke vikaas ki wajah se kadam uthāte hāi. Election ki wa
The President also attacked the critics who doubted the viability of his development plan, rejecting claims that it is impossible for his country to become a first-world economy.
“You cannot expect someone who has spent 50 years in politics with no tarmac road to his house to believe that you can move from the third world to the first-world economy,” he said with a chuckle.
Ruto dismissed further claims by the opposition that the government had not done much in development matters, wondering if those who were complaining were aware of the realities on the ground.
He mentioned various projects being established in the country, including the establishment of 240,000 units of cheap housing, 400 modern markets, and 177,000 bed hostels for students from TVETs, universities, and the Kenya Medical Training Colleges. In Kiambu, he mentioned that the governement is investing KSh48 billion in this regard, in addition to KSh4.1 billion for improving roads.
Some of the leaders who attended the event and were lauded by many for praising the development agenda of the President in the Mt. Kenya region were led by the National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah.
“Kenyans know that they are voting for leaders who are linked with development. No one dictates to Kenyans on who to vote for,” replied Ichung’wa. Also in the guest list were the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Alice Wahome, and that of Information Communication Technology, William Kabogo, as well as the Governor of Kiambu, Kimani W
