Roads to their homes are dusty: Ruto scoffs at infrastructure critics
By Kenneth Mwenda, December 14, 2025President William Ruto has hit back at opposition leaders who say his ambitious infrastructure plans are impossible, accusing them of lacking vision and basic planning.
Speaking on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at AIPCA Gatundu North Diocese in Karure, Kiambu County, the president defended his road construction agenda and dismissed critics who doubt the government’s capacity to deliver.
Ruto said his administration plans to build 28,000 kilometres of roads by 2032, adding to the 10,000 kilometres constructed during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure. He insisted the plan is realistic and necessary to unlock economic growth across the country.
“Vile tulijenga 10,000 in ten years ya Uhuru Kenyatta, we are going to build another 28,000 by 2032. Ndio hizi barabara zenu zote ambazo ziko hapa tuweze kuzikamilisha, ndio mambo iweze kusonga mbele,” Ruto said.
The President took aim at opposition leaders who have questioned the feasibility of completing nationwide road projects, saying their criticism reflects poor leadership and a lack of planning.
“Nimeona kuna viongozi wengine wanasema hiyo mpango ya kujenga barabara hizi zoote ati mimi nimetangaza ati haiwezekani. Mimi nataka niwaambie wale, nyinyi ndio hamuwezi, lakini sisi tunaweza,” he said.
Ruto argued that the real problem is not opposition figures themselves, but their failure to plan when they were in positions of power.
“Na shida si wao, shida ni mpango hawana. Kama unangojea mtu akuje akupangie barabara ya kwenda kwako, kwa sababu barabara ya kwenda kwako bado ni vumbi, na bado ni ya matope,” he said.
In a sharp personal jab, the president claimed some long-serving leaders have failed to improve infrastructure even in their own neighbourhoods.
“Yeye mwenyewe, huyo mnamgojea, amekuwa kwa uongozi miaka 50. Barabara ya kwenda kwake ni ya vumbi na matope. Atatoa wapi akili, kama amekosa akili ya kupanga barabara ya kwenda kwake?” Ruto asked.
He concluded that this failure explains why such leaders say his plans cannot work.
“Ndio maana mnaona wanasema ati haiwezekani. Because they have never planned anything.”
Opposition raises constitutional concerns
Ruto’s remarks come amid growing criticism from the opposition over the government’s proposed financing model for large-scale development. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has publicly opposed the plan to raise Ksh5 trillion through the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), arguing that it undermines constitutional principles on public finance.
Kalonzo has claimed the proposed funds could bypass parliamentary oversight and weaken transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
Ruto, however, has remained firm. He also said the Cabinet is set to approve the National Infrastructure Fund at its next meeting, describing the move as the official start of Kenya’s journey from a Third World to a First World country.
According to the President, the fund will mobilise up to Ksh5 trillion to support infrastructure, industrialisation and other productive sectors, while reducing reliance on excessive borrowing.