National Infrastructure Fund criticised as civic group questions Ruto’s Singapore vision

Bunge La Wananchi, a civic citizen movement, has called on President William Ruto to move beyond his endless promises of economic improvement and take tangible action.

In their end-of-year address at Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi’s Central Business District, the group said Ruto's vision of transforming Kenya’s economy into one like Singapore’s is only achievable if ordinary Kenyans begin to feel real change.

Led by Bunge La Wananchi Chairperson Robert Kiberenge, the movement criticised Ruto’s administration for overpromising while delivering little.

They focused in particular on Ruto’s recent establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) on Monday, hailed as a decisive step in Kenya’s transition from a developing to a First World economy.

"Let me challenge President William Ruto's claims that Kenya's economy is stabilising; the reported gains have not improved the lives of ordinary people," said Kiberenge.

Struggling to afford basics

He argued that a stable shilling, lower inflation, and economic growth mean little when Kenyans are struggling to afford basic necessities, citing reports that nearly 17 million people face food shortages.

"I blame high taxation and reduced purchasing power for worsening poverty. I believe the focus on mega projects instead of essentials such as food, healthcare, and education is the cause of suffering in the country," added Kiberenge.

He also highlighted that national wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a few while the majority grow poorer.

The group further demanded clarity from the government on how the National Infrastructure Fund will mobilise the Sh5 trillion required to finance large-scale development projects critical to economic growth.

Improving Kenyans’ quality of life

Ruto, in his address, said the resources would be channelled into infrastructure, industrialisation, and other productive sectors aimed at accelerating development and improving Kenyans’ quality of life.

"We are not joking, my friends. This country must be transformed by all means possible. We are very late. We are behind schedule in kicking out hunger and poverty," Ruto said.

"This country can be transformed. If Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia did it, why not us?"

He reiterated his belief that Kenya could achieve rapid development similar to Singapore if it maintains discipline, sticks to economic reforms, and invests strategically in key sectors.

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• Kenya Economy
• Bunge La Wananchi
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• National Infrastructure Fund
• William Ruto Singapore vision
• poverty and inequality kenya
• Kenya taxation policy
• Kenya 2027 General Election
• National Infrastructure Fund criticised as civic group questions Ruto’s Singapore vision
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The civic movement, which has long held both county and national governments accountable, stressed that transformation cannot be achieved through political rhetoric alone, but through concrete development programmes and consistent policy implementation that benefits the citizenry.

2027 General Election

Ruto dismissed claims that his development drive is politically motivated ahead of the 2027 General Election, insisting his focus is on delivery, not politics.

"I am not doing all this because I want votes in 2027. I am past looking for votes. My mission is to change the country," he said.

"If it were about votes, you elected me in 2022, and that is enough for me to deliver. Elections will come later; it is time to work. When that time comes, people should be judged according to what they have done," Ruto added.

He explained that the National Infrastructure Fund is designed to provide a credible and sustainable alternative to excessive borrowing, while unlocking large-scale private sector capital to support development.

Salim Nganga, a member of the group, criticised Ruto’s Singapore vision.

"So, when Ruto and his supporters talk about making Kenya a Singapore, one must ask: Singapore for what? Singapore without manufacturing? Singapore without export competitiveness? Singapore without a clear public housing policy? Singapore without affordable healthcare? Singapore without disciplined budgeting?" asked Nganga.

He also condemned Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a for recently advising the President to sell government parastatals to fund road construction.

"Roads are not charity projects. Roads are not miracles. Roads are not built by selling national assets like a desperate family hawking furniture to pay rent. Roads are built through budgetary allocation, long-term planning, disciplined public finance, and accountable governance," added Ng’ang’a.