Steve Umidha @UmidhaSteve

The construction sector received a Sh172.4 billion boost in the new budget announced by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani to stir its growth.

Yatani said the allocation  would scale-up the construction of a robust network of high-quality roads, railways, sea and airports to enable Kenyans to enjoy the benefits of expanded infrastructure and improve competitiveness.

The sector registered a growth of 6.4 per cent last year compared to 6.9 per cent growth witnessed a year earlier despite the government’s enormous spending in the sector.

Economic stimulus

Yatani said towards this end, the ministry proposed an allocation of Sh172.4 billion. 

This, he said, is in addition to allocations  already set aside for the economic stimulus programme and the Big Four agenda which support construction of roads and bridges as well as their rehabilitation and maintenance.

Further, Yatani announced the allocation of Sh18.1 billion for SGR Phase II (Nairobi- Naivasha); Sh6 billion for the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (Lapsset) Project, Sh5 billion for the Mombasa Port Development project and Sh328 million for insurance of ferries for the Likoni channel.