Ruto: We Aim to Tarmac 28,000km of Roads in Next 10 Years

President William Ruto/PCS

President William Ruto has announced plans to tarmac 28,000 kilometres of roads over the next 10 years as part of an ambitious infrastructure programme aimed at transforming Kenya into a first-world economy.

Speaking during the 19th Ambassadors and High Commissioners Conference in Nairobi on Saturday, Ruto said the government is scaling up investments in infrastructure and connectivity to expand the road network and improve transport efficiency.

The President noted that road construction remains one of the most pressing concerns among Kenyans, often dominating public forums across the country, and emphasised the need for a shift from piecemeal projects to a comprehensive national plan.

“If you go to any meeting in Kenya, somebody will ask you about a road — this road, that road, and the other road. We cannot continue discussing 10 kilometres here and 20 kilometres there. We just have to have a comprehensive plan and do it,” Ruto said.

He added that the government aims to construct at least 2,500 kilometres of dual carriageways alongside the 28,000 kilometres of new roads within the next seven to ten years.

Ruto pointed to global examples such as Japan, which has tarmacked nearly one million kilometres of roads over six decades, to illustrate the scale of ambition needed for Kenya to accelerate its development.

The infrastructure push will also include modernising rail systems and upgrading airports and seaports to position Kenya as a regional trade and logistics hub. He singled out improvements at the Port of Mombasa as critical to enhancing cargo movement and supporting economic growth.

In addition, the government plans to expand the country’s energy capacity from the current 3,300 megawatts to at least 10,000 megawatts to support industrialisation and innovation.

Ruto further revealed plans to invest in water and agriculture, including the construction of at least 50 mega dams and over 1,000 micro and small dams to boost irrigation and strengthen water security.

The President said the entire programme will require sustained financing of at least Sh5 trillion (40 billion dollars), underscoring the scale of investment needed to achieve Kenya’s economic transformation goals.

To fund the projects, the government has established a National Infrastructure Fund aimed at attracting long-term capital from both local and international investors.

Ruto expressed confidence that the resources will be mobilised, affirming the government’s commitment to delivering the projects and accelerating infrastructure development across the country.