Infrastructure is the Road to Development.

(From The Nation (Kenya) - AAGM)

Byline: Mwai Kibaki

There can be no meaningful economic growth if the necessary infrastructure is not in place. The corollary to this is that the level of development and, indeed, the level of industrialisation of a nation can be inferred from the efficiency, accessibility and affordability of its infrastructure, especially energy, transport, and telecommunication.

One of the major factors that attract direct foreign investment is infrastructure. In evaluating returns on investment, investors will wish to ensure there is security, fair trading practices, and, above all, a reliable infrastructure. Many believe that Africa has not attracted substantial investment because of its unreliable infrastructure.

Soon after independence, the Government embarked on a massive programmme of building the country's roads, extending telephone services, and ensuring that our railways and harbours served the East African market competently.

It also embarked on the expansion of electric power supply through direct participation in the then East Africa Power and Lighting Company (now Kenya Power & Lighting Company) and the establishment of the Tana and Athi River Development Authority.

Today, the main arteries of our road network have either collapsed, are poorly maintained, or are grossly inadequate to serve the …