Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has criticised President William Ruto’s tendency to commission road projects on television before they are completed, warning that unfulfilled infrastructure promises could be politically damaging.

Her remarks came hours after President Ruto, during his third State of the Nation Address on November 20, 2025, announced plans to dual 21 major roads in the coming years, starting with the 170-kilometre Rironi–Naivasha–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway next week.

In a post on X dated November 21, 2025, Wamae wrote: “Promising Kenyans you will dual 21 roads then you fail to do so, will be your waterloo an addition to the numerous list why your journey to Sugoi is unstoppable.”

She urged the President to prioritise proper completion of projects before public launches, stating: “How about completing the roads (road furniture lights, zebra crossing, foot bridges, cycling lanes, pedestrian walkways).” Wamae further added: “Basically, you should not commission or launch the roads/project on national TV before work begins, but rather be decommissioned and opened when the road/project is complete. Bwana president surprise Kenyans for once.”

Ambitious road expansion plans

During Thursday’s address to a joint sitting of Parliament, President Ruto framed transport and logistics as Kenya’s fourth national priority, describing it as the backbone of economic competitiveness.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Roads and Transport has mapped 2,500 km of highways for dualling and 28,000 km for tarmacking over the next decade.

The President said his infrastructure agenda was partly shaped by consultations with opposition leader Raila Odinga before his death and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“I discussed this vision with the late Rt Hon. Raila Odinga, who reminded me that no nation has industrialised without roads, energy, and food security,” Ruto said. He added that Uhuru Kenyatta had emphasised the necessity of scaling up infrastructure investments.

Other projects and funding

Other roads listed for dualling include Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi, Machakos Junction–Mariakani, Kisumu–Busia, Athi River–Namanga, and the Northern Bypass. The Standard Gauge Railway extension from Naivasha to Kisumu and eventually Malaba is scheduled to begin in January 2026.

Ruto estimated that implementing the broader national priorities, including infrastructure, will require at least Ksh 5 trillion. Funding will come largely through public-private partnerships, proceeds from privatisation, and the creation of a National Infrastructure Fund and a Sovereign Wealth Fund.