The State Department for Roads PS, Eng. Joseph Mbugua and his National Treasury counterpart, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, have lauded the World Bank for the continued sponsorship of the Government of Kenya projects.
During a two-day World Bank quarterly portfolio review meeting organized by the National Treasury in Nairobi, the duo made the remarks.
The meeting sought to assess the implementation progress for World Bank-funded projects, and the challenges affecting execution.
The two PSs held fruitful discussions with the Operational Manager of the World Bank in the Nairobi Office, Camille Nuamah.
After decades of neglect, Kenya’s government was ready to rebuild the country’s dilapidated roads in 2005.
There was little information available at the time about the size of the country’s road network.
The World Bank stepped in to help with the massive road rehabilitation project, investing $1 billion in International Development Association (IDA) financing over a 13-year period.
Kenya’s roads are now documented for 162,000 kilometres, and the country is currently working on recording and updating the condition of the existing network.
Last week, the World Bank approved a $1 billion loan to Kenya on Tuesday to support its budget as East Africa’s economic powerhouse grapples with high debts and a weakening currency.
