State allocates Ksh193.4B for infrastructure

The National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndun’gu  today (Thursday) presented his second Budget Statement for the Financial Year 2024/2025 before the National Assembly.

He noted that the Ksh 3.848 trillion budget reaffirms the government’s priority policies and strategies for achieving the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) that is progressively improving the livelihoods of Kenyans.

On infrastructure, the CS proposed an allocation of Ksh 193.4 billion for development of roads in which Ksh 86.2 billion will go towards supporting construction of roads and bridges; Ksh 37.7 billion for rehabilitation of roads; and Ksh 69.5 billion for road maintenance.

Last year the government allocated Ksh244.9 billion to support the construction of roads and bridges.

CS Ndung’u said this was to enhance Kenya’s competitiveness and facilitate cross border trade and regional integration as the government continues to expand and maintain critical infrastructure in roads, railways, sea and airports.

To expand railway transport and associated infrastructure, the CS proposed Ksh 25.2 billion.

“I have also proposed Ksh 2.4 billion for infrastructure development at Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone; Ksh 1.0 billion for Nairobi Bus Rapid Transport Project; Ksh 316 million for promotion of E-Mobility Project; and Ksh 239.4 million for the Development of Nairobi Railway City,” he said.

In the financial year 2024-25, Ndung’u proposed additional Ksh 200 million for acquisition of ferries for Lake Victoria to facilitate movement of goods and people in the inland waters.

Affordable energy

Recognizing the critical role of energy in powering economic activities, Prof. Ndun’gu proposed an allocation of Ksh 69.7 billion to scale up production of reliable and affordable energy. This includes investments in the national grid, rural electrification, geothermal energy, and alternative energy technologies.

“I have proposed an allocation of Ksh 69.7 billion to the energy subsector. This includes: Ksh 27.8 billion for the national grid system; Ksh 24.0 billion for rural electrification; Ksh 14.0 billion for development of geothermal energy; Ksh 2.2 billion for alternative energy technologies; and Ksh 920 million for development of nuclear energy,” he added.

Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy

In alignment with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the CS said the budget prioritizes investment in the digital superhighway and creative economy.

Prof. Ndun’gu emphasized the importance of leveraging technology and creativity to enhance productivity and competitiveness. A substantial allocation of Ksh 16.3 billion has been proposed to fund initiatives in the Information, Communication, and Technology sector, including the construction of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology at Konza Technopolis.

“Specifically, this proposed allocation includes: Ksh 1.1 billion for Government Shared Services; Ksh 704 million for Digital Superhighway; Ksh 2.3 billion for the Construction of Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology at Konza Technopolis; Ksh 2.8 billion for Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project; and Ksh 2.8 billion for maintenance and rehabilitation of Last Mile County Connectivity Network,” he said.

To catalyze the development of Konza Technopolis City, he noted that the budget includes allocations for horizontal infrastructure and smart city facilities, reflecting the government’s vision for creating a vibrant hub of innovation and technology

“And in order to fast track the development of the Konza Technopolis City, he proposed an allocation of Ksh 1.5 billion for the Horizontal Infrastructure Phase I; and Ksh 5.2 billion for Konza Data Centre and Smart City Facilities,” he added.

Kenya’s Budget 2024/2025 charts a course towards economic transformation, with investments in infrastructure, energy, and technology poised to drive sustainable growth and prosperity for all citizens.