Busia Senator Okiya Omtata has raised concerns over President William Ruto’s practice of announcing development projects at public rallies, arguing that such actions undermine constitutional processes and bypass parliamentary oversight.

Speaking on Thursday, April 9, 2026, during a political talk show hosted by a local radio station, Omtata stated that these roadside declarations ignore the legal framework for budget allocation and public accountability in Kenya.

Omtata explained that the country’s legal design requires that all development projects, including road construction, must first be included in the national budget before they are implemented. He stressed that circumventing this process sets a dangerous precedent and risks eroding transparency in governance.

“The development projects are being mentioned unconstitutionally because why should a president be building roads? It should be in the budget; we should be told that the budget was there to do this project and the money is not there, and so the road is not there,” he stated.

Omtata stated that announcing projects at roadside events is unconstitutional and that the president must be held accountable under the law. He further explained that road projects in Kenya must follow a budgetary process, with the president’s role limited to implementing the approved budget.

“The idea that we do roadside pronouncements is not constitutional; the president should be held accountable for making roadside declarations. Go to Article 135 of the Constitution; it forbids the president from making roadside declarations.

“There is a total misunderstanding of the legal framework in this country. The design in Kenya is that, for the road to be built, it should be in the budget, and the president should implement the budget. Never have we implemented the budget,” Omtata stated.

He further explained that roadside declarations risk creating unrealistic expectations among the public and may mislead citizens regarding what is actually allocated for development.

According to Omtata, the president’s announcements should align with parliamentary approvals to ensure that projects are legally funded and properly overseen.

Omtata also urged government officials to respect the Constitution and the role of Parliament in authorising expenditures, noting that failure to follow legal procedures could weaken institutional checks and balances.

“The president must understand that in a constitutional democracy, development projects cannot simply be announced for political gain. Parliament, as the representative of the people, must first approve budgets, and all government activities must conform to this process,” Omtata added.

The Senator concluded by calling on Kenyans to remain vigilant and hold leaders accountable for actions that bypass established legal and budgetary frameworks, emphasising that transparency and adherence to the Constitution are essential for effective governance.