Mbadi dismisses infrastructure fund critics

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi has defended the National Infrastructure Fund, saying it will be a catalyst for development.

Mbadi dismissed critics of the fund, saying that they were politicising it for selfish reasons.

He said it was pure lies for some opposition leaders to claim that the fund was a scheme by the government to generate money for the 2027 election campaigns.

Mbadi argued that the leaders were opposing the fund because they did not understand it.

The CS made the remarks Saturday when he presided over the groundbreaking of a maternity ward at Lwanda Gwassi Health Centre and later the drilling of a borehole at Lwanda Comprehensive School in Suba South Constituency.

He said there was absolutely no connection between the infrastructure fund and political campaigns.

“Those leaders calling themselves the alternative government are misleading the public. They say the National Infrastructure Fund will be used for generating campaign money yet this fund is meant for development,” Mbadi said.

He said the opposition leaders were complaining because they do not understand the dynamics of economic growth.

The CS said any leader who understands economic development cannot oppose the idea of creating the infrastructure fund.

“They do understand economic growth. That is why they oppose the National Infrastructure Fund,” Mbadi said.

He said the fund had proven to be a catalyst for development in many developed countries.

Mbadi expressed optimism that Kenya will achieve significant economic growth through operationalisation of the fund.

"The infrastructure fund has revolutionised infrastructural development in countries like India, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. Any leader opposing the fund is taking us backwards in development,” he added.

Mbadi said the fund will help to build economically viable infrastructural projects.

He argued that the fund will make a turning point for economic growth in Kenya.

“Kenya will achieve the Singapore dream through the national infrastructure fund to propel the economy.” He added.

Mbadi faulted the Opposition leaders for suggesting that Kenya ought to have opted for an infrastructure bond instead of the National Infrastructure Fund. He said adoption of the bond would expose Kenya to debts, a situation which is risky for economic growth.

“Those leaders recommended an infrastructure bond, which involves borrowing. Borrowing will lead to more debt in our country. The opposition leaders are bankrupt of ideas on the economy,” he said.

The CS hailed MPs for approving the National Infrastructure Fund Bill.

“We are now waiting for President Ruto to assent to the Bill next week so that we can move forward,” Mbadi said.