Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has challenged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to account for his development record while in government, as he defended President William Ruto’s administration’s track record ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kindiki said critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration should present their own development scorecards for Kenyans to compare with the government’s achievements.
Speaking on Thursday in Tharaka Nithi, Kindiki also announced plans for a major dual-carriageway linking Makutano, Mwea, Embu, Chuka, Meru and Maua, saying the project would boost economic activity across the region.
“After the Rironi-Mau Summit Road, the next dual carriageway we are planning for will be in this region and I can assure it will be a major economic boost to people living and doing business around Makutano, Mwea, Embu, Chuka, Meru and Maua,” he said.
The Deputy President spoke while inspecting the Sh2.5 billion Kibugua-Mukuuni-Itugururu-Kabururu-Kamaindi-Murugi Road Junction project in Chuka Igambang’ombe Constituency.
The road is expected to improve connectivity in the area and ease farmers’ access to markets.
Kindiki said the National Infrastructure Fund would provide a new approach to financing major road projects by mobilising substantial resources for large-scale infrastructure.
He criticised the practice of spreading limited resources across short road sections, saying the approach slowed Kenya’s development.
“We have to stop with things of five, six kilometres, 15 kilometres, because if we continue at that speed, this country will remain behind for a long time,” he said.
Kindiki said the government’s long-term objective was to turn Kenya into a construction site over the next 10 to 15 years and transform it into a first-world country within two to three decades.
In Maara, he inspected the Marima-Makutano Road, which he said would extend the completed Kathwana-Makutano road and connect it to the Thuci-Nkubu road.
The Deputy President also highlighted the role of infrastructure projects in creating employment, particularly for young people and skilled artisans.
“I am very happy to see young people actively working. When we see this kind of energy, focus, professionals and artisans, we feel very good, and we see that our country has hope,” he said.
Kindiki, however, shifted focus to Gachagua, accusing him of criticising the current administration without demonstrating what he delivered while serving as Deputy President.
“Before he talks about ‘one term’, ‘Kasongo’ and ‘Soprano’, firstly, he should tell the people of Tharaka Nithi, when he was in power, which road he constructed, which water projects he brought, and which electricity he brought,” Kindiki said.
He also denied ever undermining Gachagua during his tenure, saying his time as Interior Cabinet Secretary was largely dedicated to national security.
“I never insulted the one who had sat on the seat of Deputy President. There is not even one day that I insulted him,” he said.
Kindiki said Gachagua had at one point asked him to leave the government during their fallout, but he declined.
“This is our government. We cannot leave because if we leave, other people who never voted for this government would be called in and they would take over our government,” he said.
As political activity intensifies ahead of 2027, Kindiki said the contest would ultimately be determined on the ground.
“Let those who are criticising us put their development record on the table when they held positions of influence, then let Kenyans compare their scorecard with ours,” he said.
“Let us meet on the ground. You cannot match our energy. You cannot match our skills. You cannot match our efforts,” he added.