President William Ruto has called on the international community to invest in Kenya’s ambitious KSh5 trillion, 10-year national transformation programme, describing it as a bold and bankable pathway to propel the country toward first-world economic status. The President urged development finance institutions, global investors, pension funds and the private sector to partner with Kenya through the proposed National Infrastructure Fund.
Speaking during the New Year Diplomatic Address to ambassadors, high commissioners and heads of international organisations at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto said the Fund offers long-term, sustainable investment opportunities while supporting Kenya’s structural transformation agenda. He emphasised that the strategy is anchored on productivity, competitiveness and inclusive growth.
At the core of the transformation plan is large-scale infrastructure expansion, including accelerated road development and a major scale-up of energy generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts to power industrial growth, innovation and job creation. The President said these investments are critical to positioning Kenya as a regional manufacturing and logistics hub.
The agenda also prioritises food security and climate resilience, with major investments in water storage, water harvesting and irrigation infrastructure aimed at bringing an additional 2.5 million acres under cultivation. This, President Ruto noted, will stabilise agricultural output, boost exports and strengthen rural livelihoods.
In addition, the government plans to significantly increase investment in education, research and development, raising statutory funding from 0.8 per cent to 2 per cent of GDP. This will build toward a KSh1 trillion research and innovation fund over the next decade, reinforcing Kenya’s long-term shift to a knowledge-driven economy.
President Ruto said the full transformation programme will require about $40 billion (KSh5 trillion), but stressed that the government is determined to mobilise the resources without accumulating unsustainable debt or imposing additional tax burdens. He said public-private partnerships will play a central role in financing and delivering the projects.
Beyond economic development, the President reaffirmed that regional peace and stability remain central to Kenya’s foreign policy. He called for urgent international action to restore peace in Sudan through inclusive, civilian-led processes, and urged dialogue to address instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
On global affairs, President Ruto advocated for a stronger and more representative United Nations, calling for reforms including permanent African representation on the UN Security Council and changes to the global financial architecture. He said Kenya remains committed to a rules-based international order, expanded trade partnerships, and deeper international cooperation to support sustainable development and shared prosperity.
