Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro has challenged President William Ruto’s assertion that the government constructed 10,000 kilometres of roads from 2013.

Speaking on Monday, December 15, 2025, Nyoro said the numbers do not match reality and questioned the government’s record of accountability.

“We have borrowed. Kenya has borrowed close to four trillion shillings in the last three years and two months. And according to the rules of Kenya, the money we borrow should go directly into capital expenditure, which is development,” Nyoro said.

He argued that before launching new trillion-shilling infrastructure plans, the government must first account for the money already borrowed.

“Before we talk about trillion-shilling plans and funds, it is important we put into context for Kenyans that you have already borrowed four trillion shillings, and Kenyans deserve that money to be accounted for,” Nyoro added.

Nyoro provided context, noting that if the four trillion shillings had been properly allocated, basic and tertiary education could have been made free. Further, he claimed, the remaining funds could have delivered roads, water, electricity, and irrigation projects across all 290 constituencies.

“12 billion worth in every constituency means a hundred kilometres of road in every constituency in Kenya at 70 million per kilometre. That is highway standards,” he said.

He also cited a one billion-shilling water project, a one billion-shilling irrigation project, and over 200 completed electricity schemes that should have been delivered by now.

Nyoro further disputed the claim that 10,000 kilometres of roads were built from 2013.

“You know, we keep saying that 10,000 kilometers of roads were constructed from 2013. That is incorrect, and I would challenge the government to actually tabulate the roads that we keep hearing of, 10,000 kilometers of roads, because I know and I have the data,” he said.

“It is less than a third of that, and I also want to put it very clearly, and anyone with a conflicting fact can table them.”

“It is less than 1,200 kilometers of tarmac road we have built from 2012 to today, out of newly signed contracts.”

Nyoro also clarified that ongoing road projects, stadiums, and programmes like NYOTA are funded through other loans or World Bank support and are separate from the four trillion shillings borrowed.

Nyoro concluded by calling for greater transparency.

“Kenyans deserve to know, before you tell us about trillion funds that you want to launch, can we first account for the four trillion Kenya shillings the country has borrowed in the recent past?”

Ruto defends road plans

President Ruto, meanwhile, has defended his administration’s infrastructure plans and dismissed opposition criticism. On Sunday, speaking at AIPCA Gatundu North Diocese in Kiambu County, he said the government plans to build 28,000 kilometres of roads by 2032, adding to the 10,000 kilometres constructed under Uhuru.

“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.

He accused opposition leaders of lacking vision and planning.

“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.”

Ruto also defended the government’s plan to raise Ksh5 trillion through the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), insisting the model will support infrastructure and industrialisation while reducing reliance on excessive borrowing.