Morara Kebaso, a local content creator and entrepreneur who has been mimicking President William Ruto and inspecting various projects he has initiated since assuming office, is currently at the center of attention.
Kebaso is traveling across the country, aiming to expose what he describes as falsehoods about many of the president’s projects, which he alleges are either stalled or have never commenced.
One of his latest revelations involves a road project that Ruto re-launched during a three-day development tour in the Gusii region, covering the sub-counties of Kitutu Chache North and Kitutu Chache South in Kisii County.
Kebaso criticized the local leaders for overly praising Ruto, highlighting the Metembe – Marani – Kegogi – Nyaore Road, initially launched by Uhuru Kenyatta in 2016 and re-launched by Ruto recently.
Kebaso questioned the actual development brought to Kisii by the president.
State House Spokesperson Husein Mohamed responded vigorously, seeking to refute Kebaso’s claims by explaining that the road was under construction after a previous contractor’s work was halted.
Husein noted that the project began on August 5, 2016, following its launch by President Kenyatta.
However, it was terminated on May 16, 2023, due to non-performance, with 27 km completed out of a 30-month contract.
The project was re-tendered and awarded on March 14, 2024, with work resuming on June 22, 2024.
According to Husein, President Ruto’s official re-launch of the project was part of his commitment to completing stalled road initiatives.
Despite Husein’s detailed explanation and photos claiming to show the ongoing road construction, many Kenyans skeptical of Ruto’s administration dismissed the explanation, particularly since the photos were reportedly not taken on the stated date.
Citizen Digital’s investigation found that while the photos depicted the ongoing road work, they likely predated President Ruto’s visit, showing earlier stages of excavation and leveling.
More recent images revealed further progress beyond what was shared by Husein.
The photos in question were posted by a resident on Twitter, who went to verify the situation on the ground.
Husein defended the president by noting that a project launch is often ceremonial and may occur after actual work has begun, urging people to focus on ongoing work rather than just the ceremonial events.
The Kegogi-Sombogo-Marani-Ititi road is under construction and will connect with other roads near Marani township.
The crucial question remains whether the project will be completed on schedule or face delays similar to those experienced in 2016 when the road was first launched.
Kebaso’s plaque also referenced other local roads, some of which were started under Uhuru’s tenure but remained incomplete, while others were finished.
The Metembe-Owalo-Rioma-Marani-Mbanda road was completed during Uhuru’s term, and the Rioma-Gesieka-Nyaore Road saw partial completion but stalled near Gesabakwa Primary School.
During Ruto’s tenure, the Kegogi-Nyakoora-Rioma road was completed, linking with the Oyugis-Rioma highway.
However, new roads announced during Ruto’s recent Gusii tour, such as the Mbanda-Ng’enyi road, Bobaracho-Ragogo road, and Ragogo-Bumburia-Kegogi road, have yet to commence construction.
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