Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the removal of French-linked companies and a Chinese firm from major infrastructure projects in Kenya, accusing them of being tied to corruption networks.

He made the remarks during an interview in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Gachagua also used the interview to attack the recent visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Nairobi, describing the trip as a political show meant to hide deeper financial dealings. He said the Africa Forward Summit did not reflect genuine partnership but served other interests linked to past road contracts.

“Kenyans are very intelligent people,” Gachagua said. “Kenyans were colonised by the British. West Africa was colonised by the French. The French practised assimilation. They changed culture and language.”

He argued that France had lost influence in West Africa and was now seeking to rebuild ties in East Africa.

“Western African countries know France and President Macron more than we do. They have all abandoned him. They have nothing to do with him. He is isolated. France is isolated by the former colonies,” he said.

Gachagua claimed the visit to Kenya was not routine diplomacy.

“Then, to salvage himself from isolation, he has come to East Africa and specifically Kenya. It’s only William Ruto who thinks he is anything. Kenyans know he is not,” he said.

Claims on road deal

Gachagua focused on the Rironi–Mau Summit road project, which was originally awarded to French firms under the previous administration. He said the contract aimed to expand the highway to eight lanes at a cost of Ksh151 billion.

He claimed that the project was later cancelled and replaced with a compensation payment of Ksh7.1 billion to the French companies, despite no work being done.

“They discussed how to get some money out of the whole thing, cancel the contract, and pay the French companies Ksh7.1 billion without doing anything,” he said. “By simply cancelling the contract and splitting the money halfway.”

Shift to Chinese contractor

Gachagua then turned his attention to a Chinese contractor, which has handled several major projects in Kenya.

He claimed the scope of the road project later changed from eight lanes to six lanes while the cost rose to Ksh200 billion. He said this created room for the misuse of public funds.

“So they are still in Ksh50 billion with the Chinese, Ksh7 billion with the French,” he said, adding that company had become “the biggest conduit of corruption in Kenya.”

He also listed other projects he linked to the firm, including stadium works, road construction, and the Nairobi Railway City project. He claimed another company had initially won a tender at 22 billion shillings but was later removed.

“William Ruto ordered them to be deported back to China so that they don’t challenge their award,” he said. “So it was given to … and they are stealing 7 billion from that contract.”

He urged the Chinese government to act.

“I am asking the government of the Republic of China to reconsider calling those people back to China because they are a conduit of corruption,” he said. “We shall be able to prosecute them next year.”

Funding and public institutions

Gachagua also claimed that public funds from pension schemes and levies were diverted into infrastructure deals. He warned officials managing these funds that they would face legal action.

“Next year, they will have their day in court. And they cannot escape,” he said.

He also accused fund managers and institutions of enabling misuse of workers’ savings.

“I want to be very candid with Kenyan institutions,” he said.

Gachagua presented himself as a long-serving insider with deep knowledge of government operations.

“I was deputy president. I have people in government… I am a walking information box,” he said.

He concluded with a promise of accountability if political power changes.

“As soon as this administration is sent home, we are going to recover this money,” he said. “All the assets that have been stolen will be reclaimed under us.”