The Democratic Party of Kenya (DP-K) has taken aim at President William Ruto’s newly proposed Infrastructure Fund, which seeks to raise more than Sh1.5 trillion for road construction across the country.
In a statement released on Tuesday, party leader Justin Muturi said the plan reflects a government that “loots with one hand and begs with the other.”
He described the initiative as unnecessary and insensitive to the financial struggles already weighing heavily on citizens.
According to DP-K, Kenyans are “over-taxed, overburdened, and squeezed to the bone,” insisting that the problem is not a lack of funds but a lack of honesty in leadership.
Muturi urged the government to focus on restoring public trust by confronting corruption rather than introducing new taxes and levies.
He said billions of shillings are lost each month through inflated costs, ghost projects, and kickbacks, noting that sealing such loopholes would save the country enough to fund development without collecting additional taxes.
Muturi added that the government should cut wasteful spending, including frequent foreign trips, luxury vehicles, unnecessary offices, and bloated delegations that continue to drain the public purse.
He further called for competence and professionalism in public service, saying Kenya has skilled individuals who can manage national projects transparently and ensure citizens get value for money.
He challenged the government to give leadership roles to qualified experts instead of political cronies and cartels.
Muturi urged the administration to prioritize balanced development that serves all sectors, warning against neglecting key services such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. He said meaningful growth must not come at the expense of starving citizens or sidelining farmers and schools.
“President Ruto must understand that you cannot fund development by impoverishing the people. You fund development by governing with integrity. Kenyans have no more to give. What they want now is not a new fund but a new culture of responsibility. That is how we rebuild this nation. That is how we reclaim hope,” he said.
DP-K’s statement comes as the country grapples with rising public debt, increased taxation, and widespread frustration over the management of public finances.
Muturi, who once served as Speaker of the National Assembly, has in recent months questioned the legality of several government initiatives, including a Sh1.2 billion insurance fund for civil servants, which he described as a revival of a previously unlawful scheme.
The party’s stance reflects growing discontent among Kenyans over new taxes and funds introduced by the government, with many viewing them as exploitative.
By opposing the Infrastructure Fund, DP-K positions itself as an advocate for accountability, fiscal discipline, and anti-corruption — issues that continue to dominate public debate.
The criticism also adds political pressure on the government to demonstrate how the proposed trillions will be safeguarded from misuse, with calls likely to grow for parliamentary oversight and transparency in how the fund will be structured and implemented.
