The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU–Kenya) has strongly supported the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), terming it a long-overdue and necessary step toward transforming Kenya into a modern, competitive, and dignified society.

In a statement issued by Secretary-General Francis Atwoli on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, COTU stated that Kenya has for decades postponed the decisive structural reforms required to close persistent infrastructure gaps that continue to undermine economic growth, job creation, and social development.

”The establishment of a martial plan to transform our country into a modern society has been long overdue, and for that reason, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K), wishes to strongly support the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF),” the statement read in part.

Speaking a day after the cabinet, chaired by President William Ruto, rolled out the Fund on Monday, December 15, 2025, to raise Ksh5 trillion in a bid to move Kenya from third-world to first-world class, the union body has argued that the country can no longer afford short-term thinking while underdevelopment remains widespread.

COTU has maintained that no nation develops by accident, emphasising that deliberate and sustained investment in infrastructure is essential for attracting investment and creating employment. The organisation highlighted key areas requiring long-term financing, including roads and railways, ports and airports, energy, affordable housing, water and sanitation, digital infrastructure, logistics systems, and resilient urban planning.

According to the statement, opponents of the National Infrastructure Fund are standing in the way of Kenya’s future by promoting fear of change, cynicism, and reactionary politics. COTU warned against allowing short-term political interests to derail initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of workers and strengthening the economy.

”As COTU (K) we have long held the view that no country develops by accident because they must attract investment and create jobs through the deliberate investment in quality roads and railways, modern ports and airports, reliable energy, affordable housing, water and sanitation, digital infrastructure, hotels, efficient logistics systems, and resilient urban planning,” it continued.

”Those opposed to the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund are not only actively standing in the way of Kenya’s future, but also continue to profess fear of change, lack of exposure and a complete absence of vision. As Kenyan workers, we refuse to be held hostage by short-term thinking and reactionary politics meant to undermine the welfare of the Kenyan workers and the economic development of our beloved country,” COTU added.

The trade union umbrella body has also called on professionals across all sectors, including economists, engineers, planners, accountants, lawyers, and academics, to rise above political divisions and help educate the public honestly on the importance of the fund and how it will safeguard the future of Kenyan workers and their families.

COTU has drawn comparisons with countries such as Malaysia and Singapore, where long-term infrastructure planning and sovereign investment vehicles played a central role in industrialisation, job creation, and rising living standards. Locally, the organisation pointed to towns such as Kisumu, Eldoret, and Kakamega as examples where modern infrastructure and affordable housing projects are already improving the quality of life and restoring dignity for workers.

While expressing full support for the initiative, COTU urged the President to maintain strict oversight on governance, transparency, and management of the proposed funds to ensure that every shilling collected is used for its intended purpose and delivers tangible benefits to the public.

The union has further stated that Kenyan workers stand firmly behind the President’s bold leadership and vision, describing the proposed development path as the most decisive and ambitious since independence.