Ruto Unveils KSh5 Trillion Plan To Drive Kenya Toward First-World Economy

On‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Friday, President William Ruto stated that Kenya has made “good progress” for 62 years since it became independent and unveiled a grand economic plan aimed at speeding up the country’s development and reaching the status of the first world.

In his Jamhuri Day address at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi. Ruto unveiled a development plan worth KSh5 trillion that focused on transforming the economy, raising people’s living standards and building more infrastructure. He termed the initiative as crucial in achieving “full economic independence for all Kenyans.”

“We are certainly not indifferent to these achievements, and we are now fast-tracking them to take Kenya to a first-world economy,” Ruto tweeted via his verified social media accounts immediately after the celebrations.

The president said that irrigation through dams would be the main driver of food production under the plan, listing the construction of 50 mega dams, 200 small dams, and 1,000 micro dams across the country as the project of the government. Ruto also made a commitment to infrastructural projects in transport that entail the conversion of the 2,500 kilometers of highways into dual carriageways and tarmacking of the 28,000 kilometers of roads.

Ruto made it clear that the government envisions that in addition to the overhaul and extension of the vital infrastructures such as airports, the railway system and an oil pipeline, these measures will deepen the regional integration with the neighboring countries.

The president stated that the country is committed to producing more energy to fuel the industry, agro-processing, and the value chain by raising the national energy generation capacity from the existing 3,300 megawatts to 10,000 megawatts.

Ruto announced the creation of a National Infrastructure Fund as one of the measures that will be used to finance the government’s priorities. The Cabinet will consider and approve the fund next Monday, he said. The fund, according to him, is a means to the end of development without “excessive debt or higher taxation.”

The national Jamhuri Day carnival celebrating the advent of Kenya in 1963 was graced by the presence of several local and global leaders. The chief guest at the festivities was His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana.

Other dignitaries included the Deputy President Kithure Kindiki; Uganda Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja; and Burundi Vice President Prosper Bazombanza, apart from other distinguished leaders. Ruto’s speech focused on the current projects and promised that the level of implementation will be doubled to meet the long-term national goals in infrastructure, food security and economic ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌growth.