Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that the noise witnessed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the University of Nairobi was a direct message from frustrated Kenyans over the irregular payment of Ksh7 billion to French firms linked to the cancelled Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit road project.

Speaking during a presser on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Gachagua stated that the funds, reportedly drawn from the fuel levy meant for road maintenance, were used to compensate French contractors after President William Ruto’s administration cancelled an earlier Ksh159 billion deal and handed the project to Chinese contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

“To the President, in the presence of Emmanuel Macron from France, it is important we let you know why Kenyans made noise to you at the University of Nairobi, Taifa Hall,” Gachagua stated.

“It wasn’t because of disrespect or hatred; they had a message for you. That the taxpayers’ money has been used and wired to French firms to the tune of Kenya Shillings 7 billion.., as their children are not in school and they have no food on the table.”

Cancellation of the contract

Gachagua claimed that the government irregularly cancelled a Ksh159 billion contract initially awarded to French firms under the Jubilee administration before handing the project to Chinese contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) at an inflated cost of Ksh200 billion.

According to Gachagua, the move was orchestrated after President Ruto’s visit to Beijing in April 2025 and was intended to create room for corruption through Ksh50 billion price variation.

“Mr. Macron, your French firms had a contract of Ksh150 billion for a bigger scope. The Chinese firm, CRBC firm, tips it to 200 billion on a smaller scope, creating a 50 billion fund for corruption by William Ruto and the Chinese contractors. But your biggest interest, and the reason why your French firms accepted cancellation of the Mau—Rironi-Mau Summit, was to get Ksh7 billion shillings without doing anything at all, ” Gachagua stated.