President William Ruto speaking in Kitui County on July 12, 2026. / PCS
President William Ruto has said the newly established National Infrastructure Fund will provide sustainable financing for major development projects across the country, including dams, roads and airports.
Speaking during a Sunday service and fundraiser at ACK St Martin's Cathedral in Kitui Town, the President said the fund has already mobilised Sh350 billion, which will accelerate the implementation of long-delayed infrastructure projects.
"We now have a formula, under the National Infrastructure Fund, to deliver these projects," Ruto said, noting that the country can no longer afford to postpone critical investments.
According to the president, the fund has raised Sh244 billion from the sale of the government's Safaricom shares and Sh106 billion from the partial divestiture of the state's shareholding in the Kenya Pipeline Company.
Ruto said the financing mechanism will help address long-standing infrastructure challenges, particularly in water-scarce regions.
He announced that construction of the stalled Thwake Dam has resumed after the project received Sh10.6 billion and is expected to be completed in April 2027. Once complete, the dam will provide water for irrigation, livestock and domestic use.
The president also pledged to revive the Umaa Dam project in Kitui County, which has stalled for nearly 15 years.
Beyond water projects, Ruto said the government is implementing a raft of development initiatives in Kitui County, including the construction of 1,000 affordable housing units, 20 modern markets and hostels to accommodate 6,000 university and college students.
He said Sh15 billion has been invested in the housing, market and hostel projects, adding that land issues that had delayed construction have since been resolved.
Construction of 11 modern markets is already underway, while procurement is ongoing for the remaining nine. The markets will feature cold storage facilities, water, electricity and digital hubs to support small-scale traders.
On transport infrastructure, Ruto said the government is constructing 250 kilometres of roads in Kitui County at a cost of Sh5.5 billion.
He noted that the 25-kilometre Chuluni–Zombe Road, launched in November 2025, is on course for completion in June 2027 and will improve connectivity between Chuluni, Zombe and Kitui Town, boosting trade and job creation.
The president also toured the construction site of the Zombe Modern Market, which began in March 2025 and is expected to be completed in December 2026.
Ruto said equitable development remains a key priority for his administration, insisting that all regions will benefit from government projects regardless of their voting patterns.
"No part of Kenya will be marginalised. Even areas that did not vote for me will get their rightful share of development," he said.
