The move follows completion of planning of the first phase of the city covering about 400 acres by US firm Tetra Tech.
The tech park has been marred by accusations of corruption in land acquisition besides a boundary dispute that has pitted Machakos, Makueni and Kajiado counties against each other.
He warned locals against playing politics that may stall the project which expected to attract billions in investment.
The first phase of constructing the Konza tech park promises to create at least 17,000 direct jobs.
Speaking at the launch of the infrastructural phase of access roads, power and water installation, Deputy President William Ruto said that the government will allocate additional funds above the Sh900 million allocated this financial year to ensure the project succeeds.
“We are ready as a government to set aside more funds so that this project succeed. I direct the Cabinet secretaries concerned to resolve any budgetary constraints delaying Konza city project” Mr Ruto said.
The move follows completion of planning of the first phase of the city covering about 400 acres by US firm Tetra Tech. Tetra Tech won a Sh2.1 billion contract to oversee planning and construction of the Sh800 billion city.
BORDER ROW
The project, to be set up through a public-private partnership will see the government provide land and build key infrastructure such as road, railway, water, telcoms and sewerage systems.
The tech park has been marred by accusations of corruption in land acquisition besides a boundary dispute that has pitted Machakos, Makueni and Kajiado counties against one another other.
The border row played out in Monday’s launch, with leaders from Makueni County seeking to convince residents to ignore the project’s location debate.
There were wild jeers when the event chaplain tried to associate the city with Machakos County, whose governor was said to be out of the country.
“The benefits of building this city far outweigh the inherent risks and perceived challenges. This project is part of Kenya’s ICT master plan and we will work with all parties concerned to ensure it succeeds,” ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i noted.
VISION 2030
Mr Ruto allayed fears that the national government was withdrawing its support due to boundary wrangles. He warned locals against playing politics that may stall the project which expected to attract billions in investment.
Makueni County Governor Kivutha Kibwana and his senate counterpart Mutula Kilonzo Junior urged residents to take advantage of the business opportunities that come up with development of the new metropolis.
The leaders also asked for full involvement of the county government in set up of the Vision 2030 flagship project.
Other leaders from the region including MPs and ward representatives called for the project bosses to consider locals in the award of jobs and business opportunities.
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