Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the government has settled the Ksh177 billion ($1.2 billion) outstanding debt owed to road contractors, paving the way for the resumption of stalled infrastructure projects across the country.

Prof Kindiki said the clearance of the pending bills has enabled contractors to return to sites, with construction works resuming on key road projects nationwide.

“We have cleared all pending debts owed to road contractors and that is why you are seeing the resumption of construction works in all the road projects from Namanga to Moyale, Busia to Lamu, including the Mau roads in Central which had stalled due to unpaid debt,” said the Deputy President.

He noted that the move signals renewed momentum by the Kenya Kwanza administration to deliver on its promise of expanding and modernising the country’s road network. According to DP, the government is targeting the construction of at least 6,000 kilometres of tarmac roads before the end of the year.

“Give us a few months and you will see the kind of transformation between now and the end of this year,” he stated.

Kindiki acknowledged the role played by former President Mwai Kibaki in laying the foundation for major road projects in the country. He also lauded retired President Uhuru Kenyatta for expanding the road network during his tenure.

In addition to road construction, the deputy president said the government will also prioritise other major infrastructure projects that include electricity connectivity and modern markets as part of a broader economic transformation agenda under President William Ruto’s administration.

He attributed the renewed infrastructure push to what he described as improved economic stability following stringent fiscal and monetary measures implemented over the past two years. The measures, he said, were aimed at steering the country out of an economic slump triggered largely by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Kenya Kwanza administration spent its first two years trying to stabilise the economy. The first thing we did was to reduce the cost of fertilizer from Ksh7,000 to Ksh2,500 through the government subsidy programme. Farmers doubled their production and we also received adequate rainfall which increased our harvest and that is how the cost of maize flour dropped from Ksh250,” he said.

Kindiki further noted that the government had taken deliberate steps to strengthen the Kenyan shilling against the US dollar. He said the exchange rate, which had previously hit Ksh165 to the US dollar, has stabilised at between Ksh128 and Ksh129 over the past two years.

“The good news is that economists are telling us that in the next few months the shilling is going to be stronger and therefore the exchange rate will reduce even further. Now that the economy is in a good place, we will build roads, we will provide electricity, we will construct markets,” he added.

The deputy president was speaking on Friday at the Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima Bus Park in Nyeri town during a development tour of the county.

During the visit, Prof Kindiki delivered Ksh12 million (78,888) to two traders-led savings and credit cooperative societies in Nyeri town. The funds, which include a Ksh10 million ($65,700) contribution from President Ruto, to form part of development pledges made to residents during the Head of State’s January tour of the county. The money is intended to strengthen saving culture among traders, enhance access to affordable credit and promote economic empowerment.

Prof Kindiki also inspected the ongoing construction of the Sh350 million ($2.301 million) Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima Modern Municipal Market. The facility, which is expected to be completed by August 31, will provide a dignified trading space for 750 vendors and help ease congestion at the Nyeri Municipal Economic Stimulus Programme market, which currently accommodates only 300 traders.

The deputy president was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Alex Wachira (Energy), Anne Wang’ombe (Gender), and Salome Muhia (Correctional Services), as well as Nyeri Governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga. Several Members of Parliament from the central Kenya region were also present, including Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri Town), Wainaina Wambugu (Othaya), Wainaina Njoroge (Kieni), Erick Wamumbi (Mathira), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and Rahab Mukami (Nyeri Woman Representative).

On politics and the 2027 General Election, Kindiki said the current administration remains focused on service delivery rather than early campaigns. He said the government would present its development record to voters at the appropriate time.

“It is not that we are afraid of elections; it is just that this is not the time for politics and campaigns. That time is coming and I can assure you we are more than ready. A clever and mature politician understands the seasons. He knows when it is time for working for the electorate and the time for campaigns. Our time will come in 2027 when we present our scorecard to the electorate,” he said.

The deputy president also acknowledged that the Mt Kenya region overwhelmingly supported the Kenya Kwanza administration during the 2022 General Election. He urged leaders and residents from the region to continue backing the government until all campaign promises are fulfilled.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Wangari Mwangi