Kirinyaga leaders fault Ruto over stalled projects ahead of Gichugu visit
By Richard Mugo, June 21, 2026A section of Kirinyaga County leaders led by senatorial aspirant David Mathenge has criticised President William Ruto’s planned visit to Gichugu Constituency, set for Monday, June 22, 2026, accusing the government of failing to deliver on key development promises in the agriculturally rich region.
Mathenge, the current Baragwi Ward MCA in Gichugu and a senatorial hopeful, said the area remains dotted with stalled national government projects, arguing that residents have little to show from the Kenya Kwanza administration despite repeated pledges.
“Most of the projects that President William Ruto promised while visiting Kianyaga in the past are yet to be fulfilled,” Mathenge told People Daily Digital on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Stalled projects in the area
The MCA, now serving his third term in the Kirinyaga County Assembly, listed several initiatives he says remain incomplete or have stalled altogether.
President William Ruto is expected to tour Gichugu Constituency to launch a coffee revival programme aimed at boosting the country’s struggling coffee sector. The initiative targets farmers in coffee-growing regions through the distribution of about Ksh20 million worth of coffee seedlings, in an effort to increase production.
He claimed that Ksh7 billion had been earmarked to clear arrears following the election of President Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua but alleged that the allocation was later withdrawn.
“We elected you so that you pay coffee farmers’ debt, because Kirinyaga produces the best quality coffee. You promised us, and you and Gachagua set aside Ksh7 billion to settle the debts. But after you kicked out Gachagua as your deputy, the budget to settle the debt was also removed. Are you coming to tell us that the money will be set aside in the upcoming supplementary budget or next financial year’s budget?” he posed.
Mathenge, who is seeking the Kirinyaga senatorial seat on a DCP party ticket during next year’s general election, also cited the construction of the General Kassam Stadium as another stalled undertaking in the constituency.
He said the project, billed as the largest stadium in Kirinyaga East Sub-County, was supposed to be jointly funded by the national and county governments, with each allocating a certain amount of funds.
Neither allocation has materialised, and construction is yet to begin.
“The county government was to give Ksh50 million, while the national government was to provide Ksh100 million to fund the construction. Neither the county government nor the national government has ever set aside the funds. I was kicked out of county assembly committees for complaining about the same,” he said.
The MCA, who is a close ally of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, further pointed to the construction of roughly 95 kilometres of road connecting all five wards in Gichugu as another stalled project.
He said completion of the network would significantly ease the transport of agricultural produce from farms to markets and processing factories.
“The road from Kianyaga to Karumandi, Mucagara, heading to Kiamutugu and other areas, is yet to be tarmacked. Has the money to construct those roads been factored into the recent financial bill, or will you come to promise us the construction of the same roads again?” he wondered.