Nairobi — For the first time in decades, Kenyans are witnessing massive public investment on electricity, telecoms, water and road infrastructure.

Last week, President Kibaki kicked off the Thika 'superhighway' project set to be the centrepiece of development during his 10-year reign.

He announced that Sh70 billion would be spent on regional trade routes. These should include the link between Kenya and Ethiopia, the Nairobi-Mombasa Road, the Athi River-Namanga Road, and bypasses around Nairobi.

Undoubtedly, the public is excited about these developments, considering that for 24 years, the Kanu government neglected infrastructure or misallocated the funds available.

However, just like we have often done with the devolved funds and other expenditure, we demand full transparency and accountability in the use of the funds, fully aware that future generations will have to pay for what we are spending today.

In Kenya, every time spending of this magnitude occurs, a window of opportunity for squandering public resources opens -- in the form of collusion between public and private sector officials.

Already, some of the new roads are showing signs of degradation due to shoddy workmanship, and we urge Parliament, watchdog committees and the general public to be fully watchful so that our optimism is not misplaced.