Public debate has grown around a Ksh1.6 billion road rehabilitation project approved by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), with many Kenyans questioning whether public money is being spent in the right places.
The project focuses on State House Road, a key route that leads directly to President William Ruto’s official residence in Nairobi. While authorities insist the plan is part of a wider national roads programme, the decision has raised concerns about fairness, priorities, and transparency in public spending.
The road in question connects Nairobi’s Central Business District to University Way and extends to State House. According to KURA, the route is important because it serves major government offices and supports movement within a busy administrative zone.
The agency says improving the road will help reduce traffic congestion and improve safety for road users. However, many citizens and experts feel that the timing and cost of the project raise serious questions, especially when many urban roads across the country remain in poor condition.
The approval for the Ksh1.6 billion project was signed on December 19, just days before Christmas. This timing has added to public suspicion, with critics arguing that such a major commitment should have been discussed more openly.
They point out that many residential areas, informal settlements, and even busy urban centres continue to struggle with flooded roads, deep potholes, and poor drainage, yet receive limited attention or funding.Transport experts note that some of these neglected roads serve more people daily than State House Road.
For this reason, they argue that public interest should guide infrastructure spending rather than political symbolism. The fact that the road leads directly to the President’s residence has made it difficult to separate the project from perceptions of privilege, especially during a period of high taxes and rising living costs.
KURA has outlined the tender process, stating that contractors must meet strict requirements, including tax compliance, registration documents, and proof of eligibility for government projects.
Bidders are required to submit sealed documents by January 22 at designated offices. While this process appears orderly, civil society groups say transparency alone is not enough.
They want a clear breakdown of how the Ksh1.6 billion figure was reached and why this road was prioritised over others in worse condition.
The authority has also stated that the project is part of a wider programme covering 92 roads across the country, with a total budget of Ksh15.6 billion.
Roads in areas such as Mathare, Kilifi, Nakuru, and Kirinyaga are included. Supporters of the plan say improving key routes will boost economic activity and reduce future maintenance costs. Still, critics argue that grouping the State House Road with other projects does not erase concerns about fairness.
President Ruto’s administration has made infrastructure a major focus. He has announced large projects such as the proposed Thika Expressway and the expansion of the Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi road, as well as the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway.
While these plans show ambition, many Kenyans feel that everyday needs are being overlooked.
For many citizens, the issue is not development itself but balance and trust. Without clear explanations and visible fairness, the State House Road project risks being seen not as a public service, but as a symbol of unequal priorities in the use of public funds.
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