President William Ruto has urged the international community to contribute to Kenya’s ambitious 10-year, KSh5 trillion national development agenda.
The transformation strategy is based on the rapid growth of the road network and the scaling up of energy generation capacity to 10,000MW to power industry and innovation, he noted, adding that the Fund offers chances for long-term investments that yield sustainable profits. In order to cultivate an extra 2.5 million acres, the plan also calls for investments in irrigation infrastructure, water harvesting, and storage.
“We estimate that these initiatives will require about $40 billion (KSh5 trillion) in investment. We are firmly resolved to mobilise the resources without adding unsustainable debt to our balance sheet or placing an additional tax burden on our citizens,” he said.
President Ruto stated that the KSh5 trillion transformation plan creates opportunities for collaboration, including public-private partnerships. He spoke during the annual New Year diplomatic address to ambassadors, high commissioners and heads of international organisations at State House, Nairobi, on Monday.
The President said regional peace and stability remain at the core of Kenya’s foreign policy. Consequently, he called for urgent international action to restore peace and stability in Sudan through civilian-led engagements.
“There can be no military solution to the challenges in Sudan, and an inclusive, civilian-led political process remains the only viable pathway to sustainable peace,” he said.
He further urged for collaboration and dialogue to achieve stability and peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. In Africa, President Ruto said Kenya supports stronger and better-funded African institutions and called for enhanced financing of the African Union and its Peace Fund, a more effective Pan-African Parliament, and the operationalisation of the African Court of Justice. The President also advocated the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to enhance intra-African trade.