Ruto claps back at critics dismissing his plan for 750 km northern Kenya road
President William Ruto has dismissed criticism from some Kenyans who have mocked his February 7, 2025, plan to construct a major road connecting the entire northeastern region.
Speaking candidly at State House Nairobi on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, during the signing of a Ksh10 billion electricity contract, Ruto expressed his frustration over the scepticism surrounding the proposed 750-kilometre road from Isiolo to Mandera, stressing that this project was anything but a joke.
“Last week or the week before, I was in Northern Kenya, and I did announce a major road artery that will be constructed from Isiolo through Wajir all the way to Mandera, and many people assume and think it is a joke,” Ruto said, addressing those doubting the feasibility of the road.
The head of state went on to lament that Kenyans have a tendency to take serious matters lightly but vowed they would be left stunned when he delivers the major project.
“Let me tell you, good people of this country, at times, we take matters of life and death as if they are a joke. I am committed to delivering on that 750 kilometres of road from Isiolo to Mandera because, for a very long time, we have left Northern Kenya behind.”
The president emphasised that his administration’s goal was to ensure no part of Kenya would be left behind in terms of development and added that he was now on a mission to give the region a facelift.
“And it is a deliberate statement by the government of Kenya, through this administration, that no part of Kenya will be left behind,” he declared, reinforcing his vision for inclusive development across the country.
Ruto also referenced past successes of such projects, listing the Mombasa to Malaba highway, saying it was now an ideal time to create a similar highway in the northern region to help unlock it.
“We did develop a transport corridor that connected Mombasa to Malaba. It is time we have another transport corridor that goes all the way to Mandera. And it is a deliberate statement by the Government of Kenya through this administration that no part of Kenya will be left behind. We did develop a transport corridor that connected Mombasa to Malaba; it is time we have another transport corridor that goes all the way to Mandera,” Ruto declared.
Electricity contract
Aside from addressing the road project, Ruto also spoke about his government’s ongoing efforts to provide electricity to marginalised communities.
He highlighted this when he witnessed the signing of 14 contracts worth Ksh10 billion for the development of mini-grids and stand-alone solar systems as part of the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project.
He hailed that the project was in a bid to extend power to communities that have for long been left out without connectivity and that it was targeting areas like Samburu and Marsabit, which are underserved.
“Today, we sign contracts worth over Ksh10 billion to extend electricity to communities that have remained on the fringes of development for far too long,” he announced. These projects are designed to bring power to the underserved counties of Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, and Narok, marking a major leap forward in providing access to electricity in remote parts of the country.
In addition to the mini-grids, Ruto also highlighted that 343 public health facilities, schools, and administrative offices would be connected to electricity through stand-alone solar systems, at a cost of Ksh438 million.
He added that 316 solar water pumps for boreholes valued at Ksh 1.6 billion are in the final stages of procurement, ensuring that electricity is used not only for lighting but also to power essential services like healthcare and water supply.
“A further 316 solar water pumps for boreholes, worth Ksh1.6 billion, are in the final stages of procurement, ensuring that electricity not only lights homes but also powers essential services,” Ruto said.
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