NAKURU — President William Ruto has announced an ambitious development plan aiming to raise around Sh1.5 trillion to construct 10,000 km of new tarmacked roads across Kenya, with at least 1,000 km targeted in Nakuru County alone. Speaking in Kuresoi North during a three-day tour of the county, Ruto said the annual budget alone cannot meet the vast infrastructure demand and that a new National Infrastructure Fund will be established to tap into private sector investment, capital markets and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
He called for innovative financing models, emphasising that the government cannot rely solely on the exchequer to deliver such large-scale infrastructure. If we depended only on the exchequer, we would achieve very little, he said, urging Parliament to move forward with the legislation for the National Infrastructure Fund. Ruto also disclosed that construction work on key corridors will soon start — including the long-awaited dual carriageway upgrade of the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway which will eventually link markets from Nairobi through Nakuru to Western Kenya.
Reactions have been cautiously optimistic. Local officials in Nakuru County welcomed the fresh commitment to road infrastructure, noting the potential boost to agriculture, trade and regional connectivity. However, analysts warn that the promised Sh1.5 trillion is a formidable sum, and the success of the initiative will depend on securing reliable financing, transparent procurement and disciplined execution. Some opposition voices have urged the government to clarify how the burden on taxpayers will be managed and how the private sector will be held accountable within the PPP framework.
Looking ahead, the plan signals a major shift in Kenya’s infrastructure strategy. If fully implemented, the program could transform transport access in rural and urban areas alike, reducing travel times, lowering costs for farmers and accelerating growth in the Rift Valley region. The coming months will test whether the proposed fund is passed by Parliament, whether investors commit to the model and whether the rollout of roads in Nakuru meets the ambitious targets set by the President.