Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused President William Ruto of deliberately stalling the High Grand Falls Dam project, claiming that the head of state wanted to take over the contract for himself.

In a strongly worded statement posted on X, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, Kalonzo dismissed Ruto’s recent remarks on development, saying that every part of Kenya has a constitutional right to projects regardless of its political leaning. He warned the president against misleading Kenyans with what he described as empty promises and failed commitments.

Also Watch: Kalonzo: I’m ready to pay any price to block Ruto’s second term.

“Stop lying; you cannot continue misleading Kenyans,” Kalonzo wrote. “The right to development is a constitutional right, not a whim of an individual. Every region in Kenya has an equal right to development regardless of political affiliation.”

Kalonzo’s statement comes hours after President William Ruto said that the Ukambani region has suffered marginalisation for decades because of politics.

Speaking on Saturday, at the Eastern Kenya Integrated College in Mitaboni, Machakos County, Ruto said his government is determined to change the situation. He attended a church service at the college before laying the foundation stone for the construction of new laboratories.

The Head of State told residents that his administration had managed to stabilise the economy, which he said was at risk of collapsing when he took office. With the economy on firmer ground, he explained, the government is now able to invest in every part of the country without bias.

“We have managed to consolidate and stabilise our economy that was at the risk of collapsing. Now, we are on the path to transforming every part of Kenya — including Ukambani that has for far too long suffered marginalisation due to politics,” Ruto said.

Blocked projects

Kalonzo went further, pointing to key projects that he claimed have been blocked under Ruto’s leadership. He stated that the president personally cancelled the High Falls Dam Vision 2030 project because he wanted the contract. He also said the Konza City technology hub, one of Kenya’s flagship Vision 2030 projects, has been left in limbo because of the government’s inaction. In addition, he accused Ruto of bringing the Thakwe Dam project to a halt.

His remarks come just months after the government officially terminated a Ksh337 billion agreement with a private investor for the construction of the High Grand Falls Dam.

The dam, planned at Kibuka Falls on the Tana River, was designed to be one of the largest in Africa, covering Tharaka Nithi, Embu and Kitui counties. It was expected to produce over 700 megawatts of electricity and irrigate more than 250,000 hectares of land. Officials said the project failed to meet requirements under the Public Private Partnerships Act after a review of the feasibility study.

A new development plan is being drafted by the Ministry of Energy, KenGen, Kenya Power and Lighting Company, and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to revive the dam project. The National Irrigation Authority, which oversees the project, has been given the green light to reopen the bidding process. Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said he will meet with KenGen, KPLC, and EPRA within the next two weeks to establish a framework for implementing the Ksh 337 billion project

Kalonzo has insisted the cancellation was a political manoeuvre.

“Mr Ruto, what country can be led in this manner with your empty promises?” he asked.

He also linked the delays to a wider crisis in governance, pointing to the growing number of strikes across the country. Kalonzo said that under Ruto, Kenya has become a “striking nation” where teachers, doctors, university lecturers, and other workers regularly down their tools over unfulfilled agreements.

“It is only the United Opposition that has not been on strike, as we have a duty to rescue and liberate Kenya from your destruction,” he added.