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| President Ruto: My four-pillar agenda to transform Nairobi.Photo/Coutersy. |
President William Ruto has outlined his four-pillar agenda aimed at transforming Nairobi into a developed capital under his “Singapore dream” plan.
According to the President, Nairobi will be the starting point of national transformation and should set development standards for other counties across the country.
Speaking during a church service in Embakasi, Nairobi, President Ruto said he has engaged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and county leaders to realise the ambitious plan.
“If we are going to move Kenya to a first-world nation, Nairobi is going to lead and that is why we will do anything to change the city of Nairobi,” he said.
“I want to assure the residents and leaders that as the leader of this nation I will go out of my way to support the county government of Nairobi.”
The President said the first pillar of his agenda is making Nairobi a motorable city to ease the movement of pedestrians and reduce road congestion.
He revealed that he has instructed all Members of County Assembly (MCAs) to identify one priority road in their wards that will be targeted for development.
“We must make Nairobi motorable so that we open up the county. I am going to provide resources for the development of those roads,” Ruto stated.
The Head of State also said efforts to clean up the city have already begun, with plans underway to clear dumpsites and improve garbage collection in residential areas.
He expressed concern over continued dumping on streets and poor waste management, which he said has left the capital in an unsanitary state.
“Nairobi cannot be a city in garbage. We have agreed with the Governor that I will add more resources from the national government,” he said.
To address the Dandora dumpsite, the country’s largest landfill, President Ruto said a waste treatment plant will be constructed on designated land in Ruai to improve waste management.
“We will do it slowly so that we create fertiliser, energy and many other things. We are planning to have the treatment plant ready by next year so that we begin collecting garbage on April 1,” he added.
The third pillar of the agenda focuses on addressing Nairobi’s long-standing water shortages.
President Ruto said the proposed Maragua IV Dam, part of his plan to construct 50 mega dams across the country, will significantly boost water supply to Nairobi.
“We have done the Northern Collector Tunnel — you now have an extra million litres. The Maragua IV will bring water into the city. It is going to be one of the priority dams we will work on this year,” he said.
The project is currently at the planning and financing stage and is estimated to cost up to KSh 45 billion.
The government plans to construct 50 mega dams, 200 medium dams and thousands of small dams countrywide at an estimated cost of KSh 1.5 trillion to enhance water security and irrigation.
The fourth pillar focuses on lighting up the city to improve security and support economic activity.
However, President Ruto warned individuals vandalising lighting infrastructure, saying the government will take lawful action against them.
“If Nairobi is in the dark, crime rates increase. There are people who vandalise the lights once they are installed,” he said.
The President stressed that the agenda is not meant to boost his political interests ahead of the 2027 General Election, but to transform the country for future generations.
To support the transformation, the government plans to implement a KSh 5 trillion development programme over the next 10 years.
The programme will be funded through the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
The National Infrastructure Fund will align financial resources with national development priorities while attracting private sector capital to reduce reliance on borrowing and taxation.
The Sovereign Wealth Fund will manage and invest revenues from mineral and petroleum resources, dividends from public investments and part of privatisation proceeds for long-term national benefit.
