The National Assembly has officially passed the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) Bill, 2026, marking a radical shift in how Kenya will finance its most ambitious projects. Spearheaded by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Molo MP Kuria Kimani, the legislation creates a structured mechanism to raise nearly Sh5 trillion over the next decade.
By moving away from traditional debt-funded models, the Fund aims to attract capital from pension funds, private investors, and privatization proceeds to support highways, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension, and large-scale energy projects.
President William Ruto expressed his profound gratitude to the 13th Parliament, specifically singling out Kimani Ichung’wah and Kuria Kimani for their legislative agility and principled oversight.
The President noted that when the history of this generation is written, these leaders will occupy a full and proud chapter for their courage in steering such a transformative piece of legislation through the House. This recognition highlights the deep trust the Executive places in the duo to deliver the fiscal framework necessary for the country’s journey toward first-world status.
To address concerns regarding executive influence and the potential misuse of funds, the Bill was passed with significant amendments proposed by the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. Under the leadership of Kuria Kimani, the House introduced a Governing Council and restructured the Board of Directors to include independent, competitively recruited professionals.
These safeguards ensure that the Treasury Cabinet Secretary no longer holds absolute control over the Fund’s operations, creating a transparent, professional management structure that is insulated from political interference and focused on commercial viability.
The passage of the NIF Bill is being described as the most consequential legislative act in decades, providing the “political software” needed to realize the 2027 development roadmap.
Ichung’wah characterized the law as the crystallization of Kenya’s journey to Singapore, providing a clear roadmap for industrialization and regional trade dominance.
As the country prepares for the upcoming General Election, the success of this Fund will serve as a critical test for the administration’s ability to deliver high-quality infrastructure without increasing the national debt burden on the common citizen.