Karua Takes On Ruto Over 55-KM Road Project Launched Twice Within 5 Yrs As State House Defends Move

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed came to President William Ruto’s rescue a day after announcing the launch of a 55-kilometre road in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, which triggered an uproar.

On Thursday, April 6, the Head of State revealed that the project would see a road linking Captain-Ndemi, Wanjohi-Kwa Matu-Geta-Kahuruko-Ndunyu Njeru tarmacked.

However, other than the praises many expected him to receive, Kenyans online turned on him for launching the same 55 km road he launched when he was the Deputy President under Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.

As a coincidence, Ruto released a statement at 3:11 pm on November 26, 2018, announcing that construction works on the same road had begun.

“Earlier, launched the tarmacking of the 55-Kilometre Captain-Ndemi/Wanjohi-Kwa Matu-Geta-Kahuruko-Ndunyu Njeru Road and addressed wananchi at the Ndunyu Njeru Trading Centre and Ol Kalou Town,” Ruto’s social media statement shared on Thursday, April 6 read.

“During the launch of construction works of the 55km Captain-Ndemi-Wanjohi-Kwa Matu-Geta-Kahuruko-Ndunyu Njeru and Access to Karima Girls High School Roads at Captain and opening of Ol Kalou CDF office, Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County,” Ruto stated in 2018.

The two statements sparked mass confusion online with a section of Kenyans questioning the Head of State for launching the same road five years apart. Azimio’s Karua hit out at Ruto for launching same road twice saying that nothing can excuse the deceptive launching of an already launched project

In a statement on Friday, April 7, Hussein explained that President Ruto had run into headwinds orchestrated by Uhuru’s regime that included the intentional denial of funds for the several projects he launched to frustrate his bid for Kenya’s fifth president.

“During last year’s election campaigns, President Ruto promised to complete all stalled projects, including roads. During the ‘Handshake’ (2018-2022), many projects he launched were deliberately denied funding even though they were in the government’s programme. This was to frustrate the then Deputy President and his bid for the presidency,” he stated.

Hussein also expressed confidence in the Kenya Kwanza government completing the projects that were stalled in Uhuru’s government before turning his focus on new ones.

“Today, it’s evident that the architects of these schemes that they thought would frustrate President Ruto, ultimately hurt the people, the economy and Kenya. But the President is and will clean up the mess. He promised to complete all stalled projects before embarking on new ones. This is the President fulfilling his pledges,” the former Citizen TV journalist added.