Ruto Fires Back at Kalonzo Over Kibwezi-Bondoni Road Claim
The exchange began over the weekend after President Ruto accused Kalonzo of pessimism and lacking the moral authority to criticise the government’s development agenda
By : Mweru Mbugua
President William Ruto on Tuesday escalated his war of words with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, dismissing Kalonzo’s claims over the Kibwezi–Bondoni road and questioning his development record after decades in leadership
The exchange began over the weekend after President Ruto accused Kalonzo of pessimism and lacking the moral authority to criticise the government’s development agenda
Kalonzo responded on Monday, urging the President to stop mentioning him and disputing remarks that there were no roads in his home area
Kalonzo further took issue with claims about the length of his public service, saying he had been in leadership for 40 years, not 50 as alleged
Speaking on Tuesday while laying the foundation stone for a students’ hostel at Turkana University in Turkana County, President Ruto rejected Kalonzo’s assertion that he launched the Kibwezi–Bondoni road
The Head of State said the project was initiated during the 2013–2017 administration when he served as Deputy President under former President Uhuru Kenyatta
“He said he launched the Kibwezi–Bondoni road. That road was built during Uhuru Kenyatta’s time and mine. We have the facts and the evidence,” Ruto said, accusing Kalonzo of attempting to mislead Kenyans
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The President also revived his earlier jibe, arguing that Kalonzo’s inability to develop infrastructure in his own backyard undermined his credibility to lecture others on national development
“If you cannot build a road to your own home in 40 years, how long will it take you to build roads for other Kenyans?” Ruto posed
Ruto maintained that his administration would not be distracted from its development agenda, reiterating plans to lift 10 million Kenyans out of poverty
He cited the recent passage of the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund as key tools to bridge inequality
The President said the two funds will support a Sh5 trillion development programme to be implemented over the next decade
