Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the administration of President William Ruto of inflating the cost of the Rironi–Mau Summit Highway project.
He said the price of the 233-kilometre road rose from KSh 150 billion to KSh 200 billion after the government changed contractors.
Speaking at a public gathering, Gachagua claimed that an earlier agreement with French companies was cancelled once Ruto took office. According to him, the cancellation led to compensation of KSh 7 billion, which he alleged was shared between the President and the firms involved.
He further stated that the project was then given to Chinese contractors and that KSh 30 billion for the work came from pension contributions.
Gachagua presented these points as evidence of mismanagement and improper dealings around the highway.
He did not provide documents during the remarks, but the claims have drawn attention because of the large sums involved and the importance of the road link.
The Rironi–Mau Summit Highway is a major infrastructure project meant to improve travel between Nairobi and western Kenya. It forms part of wider plans to upgrade key routes and ease transport of goods and people. Construction has faced delays, and the government has previously pointed to various challenges in completing such works on time.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has responded to questions about the project’s progress. He attributed the delays mainly to shortages of bitumen caused by geopolitical disruptions that have affected global supplies. Chirchir said sections of the highway are still moving forward despite the difficulties.
He has not directly addressed Gachagua’s specific claims about cost increases or the change of contractors in the latest public statements.
The exchange comes amid ongoing political differences between Gachagua and the current administration. Gachagua has been critical of several government decisions since leaving office. Officials have in the past rejected many of his accusations and called for evidence to support them.
The National Treasury and the Ministry of Roads and Transport have not issued detailed rebuttals to these particular statements at the time of reporting. The project continues under the current contractors, with the government maintaining that work is progressing where materials are available.
The highway remains a significant public investment, and questions about its financing and management are likely to continue. Both the former deputy president’s claims and the official explanations will form part of the public discussion on how large infrastructure projects are handled in the country.
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