Alai calls out KeNHA for undermining backbone of Kenya’s rural economy
By Joel Masibo, November 24, 2025Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has called out the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for undermining the country’s rural economy.
Alai has reacted to a statement posted on X by KeNHA on Sunday, November 23, 2025, where the authority stated that sugarcane transportation aboard tractors continues to pose a grave safety risk to road users, particularly at night when visibility is low.
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KeNHA further added by saying: ”Many of the transporting tractors are unroadworthy, often operating with faulty lighting systems and carrying bulky loads that extend.”
However, the vocal MCA has rubbished the claims by KeNHA, adding that it has failed in its job description of building and maintaining roads nationwide.
Shifting blame
”Yours? Building and maintaining safe, wide highways capable of handling Kenya’s economic lifelines. Stop the blame game and get back to constructing and properly marking roads as per your job description! As a sugarcane farmer myself, I won’t sit quietly while you undermine the very backbone of our rural economy. Those “unroadworthy tractors” you scorn? They haul the cane that fuels industries, feeds families, and drives growth. Instead of finger-pointing, partner with the police to inspect and certify tractors, make them roadworthy through support, not just fines,” Alai responded to KeNHA’s assertions on Monday, November 24, 2025.
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Robert Alai continued to call out KeNHA, adding that it is part of the typical blame-shifting from agencies that fail at their core duties. The legislator said that blaming sugarcane farmers and transporters for “narrow roads” and “unroadworthy tractors” is trying to cripple sugarcane farming in rural areas.
Importance of sugarcane farming
Alai has defended sugarcane farming in the country, arguing that in 2024 alone, sugarcane output hit 9.4 million tonnes, up over 68.7 per cent from the previous year, powering sugar mills and beyond. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), adding that the subsector generated Ksh29.63 billion in marketed production value, accounting for 4.7 per cent of the entire agricultural sector’s output, with agriculture accounting for 22.5 per cent of Kenya’s GDP.
”Over 400,000 small-scale farmers are directly employed, and the industry supports the livelihoods of more than 8 million Kenyans indirectly through the sugar value chain (drivers, loaders, mechanics, traders, factories, vendors). It bolsters food security, generates potential for 130 million litres of bio-ethanol annually (saving forex and cutting emissions), and drives regional development in key counties like Kisumu, Mumias, and Nzoia.” Rober Alai said.