President Ruto Signs KSh 5 Trillion National Infrastructure Bill into Law, Unlocking JKIA Expansion
President William Ruto has assented to the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) Bill, 2026, officially establishing a landmark KSh 5 trillion fund aimed at financing major infrastructure projects across Kenya over the next decade.
Signed into law on March 9, 2026, at State House, Nairobi, the legislation—sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah—shifts the country's infrastructure financing model from traditional debt and taxation reliance to an investment-led approach that attracts private capital and operates like a corporate fund. President Ruto described the fund as a proven global model, citing successful examples from Nigeria, Ghana, India, Canada, the UK, and South Africa, and highlighted Kenya's growing domestic capital pool, with pension assets rising by KSh 700 billion last year to reach KSh 2.81 trillion.
The fund will be managed by a professional board of eight members, including independent directors and overseen by a governing council featuring key figures such as Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Central Bank Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge. It targets large-scale developments in roads, railways, ports, irrigation, energy, and aviation. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) expansion has been announced as the inaugural project, with approximately KSh 20 billion in equity from the NIF and domestic institutional investors, including proceeds from the Kenya Pipeline Company IPO. Other priority initiatives include the Loosuk–Lessos power transmission line, Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme, Rironi–Naivasha–Mau Summit highway, and the Standard Gauge Railway extension to Malaba.
This development marks a significant step toward President Ruto's vision of transforming Kenya into a modern, developed economy—often referred to as the "Singapore dream"—by mobilizing private and institutional investments to reduce borrowing burdens and accelerate growth. The move follows the recent cancellation of a controversial Adani Group deal for JKIA and comes amid efforts to modernize key facilities to handle increasing passenger traffic. Supporters view it as a strategic boost for economic productivity and inclusivity, though public discourse continues to monitor implementation for transparency and impact on critical sectors.
