By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
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Kenya, 8 June 2026 - The government has pledged to complete all road maintenance projects promised under President William Ruto's administration before the end of his first term, amid growing public scrutiny over the pace of infrastructure development across the country.
The assurance was issued by Kimilili MP and Vice-Chairperson of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Roads and Transport, Didmus Barasa, during an oversight tour of ongoing road projects in Kisumu East and Vihiga counties.
Barasa said Parliament and the Executive were working closely to ensure that road projects already approved under the Kenya Kwanza administration receive adequate funding and are completed within the stipulated timelines.
His remarks come at a time when sections of the public and opposition leaders have questioned the progress of several road projects, citing delays, stalled works and concerns over implementation timelines.
Addressing residents and project officials during the inspection tour, Barasa maintained that the government remained committed to fulfilling every road infrastructure promise made by President Ruto during his nationwide development engagements.
"All the roads within the territory of the Republic of Kenya that were promised by President William Ruto will be maintained and completed before the end of his first term in office," said Barasa.
The legislator argued that criticism directed at the government often overlooks the significant progress already achieved in different parts of the country. He accused opposition leaders of focusing on political attacks rather than objectively assessing ongoing development projects.
"The challenge we have with the opposition is that they rarely acknowledge the progress taking place across the country. Development is visible in many regions, but some leaders choose to ignore it for political reasons," he said.
Barasa further sought to explain what he termed as public misconceptions surrounding government project implementation, noting that infrastructure development follows a lengthy legal and administrative process before physical construction can commence.
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According to the MP, presidential pledges must first undergo planning, technical evaluation, parliamentary approval and budgetary allocation before contractors are engaged and works begin on the ground.
"Whenever President Ruto promises a project, it does not automatically begin the next day. There is a process that must be followed. The proposal has to be submitted to Parliament, debated, approved through the budget-making process and funds allocated before implementation starts," he explained.
He noted that many of the projects currently under implementation were at different stages of execution and urged Kenyans to allow government agencies time to complete the necessary procedures.
Among the key projects inspected by the parliamentary team were the ongoing Chavakali-Kapsabet Road and the Mamboleo-Muhoroni-Kapsitet Road maintenance works, both of which are expected to improve regional connectivity, ease transportation costs and stimulate economic activity in Western Kenya and the Lake Region.
Barasa said improved road infrastructure remains central to the government's economic transformation agenda, particularly in enhancing trade, agricultural productivity and access to essential services.
The National Assembly Roads and Transport Committee is currently undertaking a series of inspections across the country as part of its constitutional oversight mandate. The exercise seeks to evaluate project implementation, monitor expenditure of public funds and ensure taxpayers obtain value for money from ongoing infrastructure investments.
The committee's findings are expected to inform future parliamentary deliberations on infrastructure funding and help identify bottlenecks affecting project delivery.
As the countdown to the 2027 General Election begins, road development is increasingly emerging as a key measure by which the Kenya Kwanza administration will be judged. The government's latest assurances are therefore likely to be closely watched by wananchi eager to see whether the ambitious infrastructure promises made during the 2022 campaign period will translate into completed roads on the ground.
MP Didmus Barasa says improved road infrastructure remains central to the government's economic transformation agenda.