Principal Secretary, The National Treasury, Republic of Kenya Chris Kiptoo has maintained that National Infrastructure Funds (NIF) are a transformative financing vehicle.
The Ps said this on Tuesday after he joined Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi while he appeared before the Joint Departmental Committees on Finance and National Planning, chaired by Hon. Kimani Kuria (MP Molo) & Public Debt and Privatisation, chaired by Hon. Abdi Shurie (MP Balambala).
He said the funds are designed to mobilise long-term capital for the development and management of critical infrastructure, including highways and railways, air and seaports, power generation, transmission and distribution, irrigation systems, and agribusiness infrastructure.
“By attracting capital from diverse sources, including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, private equity, and development finance institutions, NIFs enable investors to participate in the growth potential of the infrastructure sector while supporting large-scale, long-term national projects,”he said.
He added that globally, National Infrastructure Funds have reshaped investment landscapes by accelerating the shift from debt heavy public financing toward blended, investment led models that are sustainable, efficient, and market driven.
“Through the NIF, Kenya seeks to mobilise KSh 5 trillion by unlocking domestic savings, strategically monetising mature public assets, democratising ownership through capital markets, and deploying national savings for development,” he added.
JHe argued that the proceeds from privatisation will be ring-fenced and invested through the Fund to preserve and grow national value. This is an innovative and sustainable approach to financing commercially viable infrastructure that supports growth, jobs, and long-term prosperity.
“Proceeds from the planned divestiture of Safaricom shares will provide seed capital for the National Infrastructure Fund, anchoring a new era of investment led development for Kenya,”he said.
