Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has proposed alternatives to raise the Ksh1.5 trillion that President William Ruto stated is needed for funding the country's infrastructure.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) leader relayed that the new proposal to have an Infrastructure Fund to cover the cost would prove burdensome to Kenyans who are already "overtaxed, overburdened, and squeezed to the bone"
Over the past few weeks, the President has been floating the idea of an infrastructure fund to facilitate the construction of infrastructure like roads, railways, airports, and power projects, among others. On Monday, he revealed the government needed Ksh1.5 trillion for this.
"President William Ruto's latest proposal for an Infrastructure Fund, said to raise over Ksh1.5 trillion for roads, illustrates the tragic irony of our times: a government that loots with one hand and begs with the other," the statement by Muturi read in part.
"Let us be clear: Kenya does not suffer from a shortage of money. It suffers from a shortage of honesty in leadership. If the President truly wants to build roads, he should start by building trust," he added.
As such, he proposed five new ways in which the government could raise the money, including by stopping graft.
"Billions are lost monthly in inflated contracts, ghost projects, and kickbacks. Seal these leaks, and Kenya will have enough to pave every major road without a single new tax," he said.
Secondly, he called for an end to government waste, asserting that lavish foreign trips, unnecessary offices, luxury cars, and unending delegations are draining the Treasury.
He also called on the President to "empower competence" by providing opportunities for capable professionals who can manage projects transparently and deliver value for money, and letting them lead instead of political cronies and cartels.
Muturi further called for better planning that could prioritise important projects, such as healthcare, education and food, emphasising that even though roads are important, they should not be developed at the expense of neglecting the well-being of the citizens.
Lastly, he called for respect for accountability, where every shilling spent must be traceable, with independent oversight institutions being strengthened, not undermined.
While speaking during the launch of the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme in Nakuru County on Monday, Ruto said that the government’s current fiscal space could not accommodate such a large project under traditional budgetary allocations.
He also mentioned that the government plans to explore new funding options, like a dedicated Infrastructure Fund, to attract resources from capital markets.
