The expansion of critical infrastructure in the country got a major boost on Thursday after the National Treasury allocated Sh212.5 billion in the financial year 2022-23.
“The government continues to expand critical infrastructure in roads, rails, air and seaports to create an enabling environment for economic recovery and employment creation,” National Treasury CS Ukur Yatani said when he presented the budget to the National Assembly.
Yatani allocated Sh18.5 billion for development of the Standard Gauge Railway.
He said SGR has presented a modern and efficient transport system that is safe, comfortable, and affordable for passengers and freight.
To expand railway transport to the rest of the country, Yatani allocated Sh1.1 66 billion for railways metro lines, where Sh439 million will cater for rehabilitation of locomotives and Sh264 million for development of ERP system for SGR.
The total expenditure in the financial year 2022-23 is projected at Sh3.3 trillion, an equivalent to 23.9 per cent of GDP.
The recurrent expenditures will amount to Sh2.2 trillion while development expenditures including allocations to foreign financed projects, contingency fund and conditional transfers to county is Sh715.5 billion.
"This funding is expected to accelerate completion of ongoing infrastructure projects," he said.
In the financial year 2021-22, Yatani allocated Sh1.3 billion for railways metro lines and Sh27.2 billion for Phase II of the SGR.
A total of Sh2 billion was also set for construction and rehabilitation of Naivasha Inland Container Depot – Malaba Line.
Treasury had also allocated Sh2 billion for construction and rehabilitation of Riruta-Lenana – Ngong railway and Sh1.1 billion to complete rehabilitation of the Nairobi-Nanyuki meter gauge railway line.
During the 2021-22 financial year, the government allocated Sh128 million for insurance of ferries for the Likoni channel.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
