President William Ruto during the Presidential Assent to the National Infrastructure Fund Bill, State House on March 9, 2026./PCS
President William Ruto has defended the creation of Kenya’s National Infrastructure Fund, declaring that the initiative is not a gamble but a tested model aimed at transforming the country’s development path.
Speaking during the signing of the National Infrastructure Fund Bill at State House, Nairobi, on Monday, the President said the fund is built on global best practices and will play a central role in driving economic growth.
“Let me emphasize that the National Infrastructure Fund is not an experiment. It is a model that has been adopted successfully around the world,” Ruto said.
The Head of State pointed to similar funds operating in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, India, Canada, United Kingdom, and South Africa, saying they have been used to spur economic growth and improve public services.
According to the president, the fund is designed to attract both local and international investors and provide a stable financing framework for key national projects.
He said major sectors such as roads, railways, energy, and digital infrastructure are expected to benefit from the new financing mechanism. The projects are intended to create jobs, diversify the economy, and improve the quality of life for Kenyans.
Ruto also revealed that the idea behind the fund was inspired by earlier discussions with international partners on how Kenya could finance its own development.
“I remember we sat down here with many of the people who have developed these funds. IFC was on the table with us. I have had conversations with my good friend Tadesse on this, and two and a half years ago he encouraged me, President, think about owning your own horse. And the horse he was talking about is the National Infrastructure Fund,” he said.
The President said the initiative will help the country move away from relying heavily on traditional borrowing and restrictive budget allocations by pooling resources and strategically deploying capital for development.
He noted that the fund forms part of his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which focuses on investments that support ordinary citizens and stimulate grassroots economic activity.
“This fund is about ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with the nation’s growing needs and ambitions,” Ruto said, adding that the government will prioritise transparency and accountability in its implementation.
The President said the initiative reflects the administration’s determination to secure long-term financing for Kenya’s development priorities
