All stalled road maintenance projects across the country will be completed before the next general election in August 2027, the National Assembly’s Roads and Transport Committee Vice-Chairperson, Didmus Barasa, has assured.

Speaking during a parliamentary oversight tour of road projects in Kisumu East and Vihiga counties, Mr Barasa stated that the government has already allocated sufficient funds to ensure the completion of the networks.

The assurance comes at a time when President William Ruto’s administration is facing public backlash over allegedly stalled infrastructural projects in various parts of the country.

“All the roads within the territory of the Republic of Kenya that were promised by President Ruto will be maintained before the end of his first tenure,” Barasa asserted.

Castigating opposition

The Kimilili lawmaker took the opportunity to fire back at critics, accusing the opposition of turning a blind eye to ongoing development.

“The problem we have with the opposition is their failure to acknowledge the progress that is going on in different parts of the country,” Barasa said.

He further clarified the government’s project implementation pipeline: “Let it be known that anytime President Ruto promises a project, it doesn’t begin the following day. The matter must first be brought to parliament, discussed, budgeted for, and then the work is commissioned to commence.”

Among the key sites inspected by the committee were the ongoing Chavakali–Kapsabet and the Mamboleo–Muhoroni–Kapsitet road maintenance projects.

Accompanied by the committee, Kisumu East lawmaker Shakeel Shabbir expressed satisfaction with the pace and craftsmanship of the local contractors.

“I must say there is quality work going on and the contractor is up to standard. The public is happy with the progress,” Shabbir noted.