Ruto vows to responsibly utilise Ksh.46B World Bank funding for Urban Support programme

President Willam Ruo has vowed to ensure that the Ksh.46.5 billion ($350 million) funding from the World Bank for the Second Kenya Urban Support Programme will be responsibly utilized.

Speaking during the launch of the programme at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, Ruto noted that sustainable financing will play a huge role in achieving his government's urban development strategy.

"We shall now proceed to actualise our ambition of holistically achieving sustainable urban development by enhancing the resilience of infrastructure and services, engaging the private sector in urban planning and development and integrating refugee camps with host settlements," he said.

President Ruto also challenged Governors to boost their revenue collections in their respective counties to support their development programs.

He told governors that their own source revenues would make work easier at the devolved units instead of depending on loans that would be repaid.

The head of state said it is high time the country should focus on funding its own projects without depending on foreign aid.

"For our part, the National Government is establishing the National Urban Development Fund to anchor the urban development agenda in a sustainable framework," he said.

The event was attended by several governors led by their chair Anne Waiguru who vowed that they would ensure the program succeeds.