Gachagua Claims Macron Visit To Kenya Linked To Ksh7 Billion Corruption Scandal

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused visiting French President Emmanuel Macron of being indirectly connected to a controversial multi-billion-shilling payout linked to the cancelled Rironi-Mau Summit Road project.

Addressing the media in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 12, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader claimed that Kenyan taxpayers suffered massive losses after the government terminated the highway expansion deal, which had initially been awarded to French firms under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The Rironi-Mau Summit Road project, which forms part of the heavily used Nairobi-Nakuru highway, had been designed to reduce congestion, improve road safety, and cut travel time between Nairobi and Western Kenya.

Gachagua alleged that the cancellation of the French-backed agreement resulted in compensation payouts of up to Ksh7 billion to the foreign companies involved.

“Mr Macron, you are an accomplice in the Ksh7 billion payout from the people of Kenya linked to the cancelled Rironi-Mau Summit Road contract,” Gachagua claimed.

He further suggested that Macron’s visit to Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit was tied to unresolved financial matters surrounding the scrapped infrastructure deal.

According to Gachagua, public anger over such agreements partly fuelled disruptions witnessed during Macron’s address at the Africa Forward Summit held at the University of Nairobi’s Taifa Hall on Monday, where sections of the audience interrupted proceedings with chants and noise.

“That’s the reason why Kenyans were making noise to you not to leave our borders with this money, as we need it to pay fees. If Kenyans meet you elsewhere, they will make more noise,” he added.

In September 2020, the government announced that a consortium of French companies had secured the contract to finance, construct, and operate the highway under a PPP framework estimated at about Ksh159 billion. The agreement sparked widespread public and political debate over its cost and financing structure.

The project was later suspended and eventually cancelled, with the government citing disagreements over financing terms, shifting infrastructure priorities, and concerns about the overall cost implications.

Kenya subsequently explored alternative financing arrangements, including engagement with Chinese contractors for other road projects within the wider corridor development programme.

Gachagua also raised concerns over governance and land disputes in parts of Meru County, alleging that a contested hotel ownership matter worth Ksh64 million within the Meru National Park area could negatively affect public services and education.

His remarks came amid heightened tensions in Nairobi during the Africa Forward Summit, where protesters clashed with police after attempting to access the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Tuesday. Several activists, protesters, and foreign nationals were arrested after attempting to breach security barriers around the venue, where more than 30 African Heads of State are attending the summit.

The demonstrators accused France and President Macron of imperialism and foreign interference in African affairs, carrying placards with slogans such as “Nairobi Erupts, resist French colonialism” and “Stop the imperialists' drive to war.”

Some of the foreigners arrested included nationals from Britain, France, South Korea, and Greece, according to Booker Ngesa Omole, who was among the protesters. Omole claimed seven Kenyans, including activist Julius Kamau, were also arrested during the demonstrations.

The protests briefly disrupted traffic along Uhuru Highway as a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team made up of female police officers attempted to block the demonstrators, who maintained their protests were peaceful.

Police later fired teargas and shots into the air to disperse the crowd. While some protesters fled, others regrouped before additional police vehicles arrived, and several demonstrators were bundled into vehicles and driven away.

The Africa Forward Summit entered its second day on Tuesday with discussions at KICC focusing on financing reforms, peace and security, artificial intelligence, agriculture, health, and the blue economy.

Key speakers expected at the afternoon plenary session include Macron, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Activists protesting against French imperialism on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa Forward Summit at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on May 12, 2026. /PEOPLE DAILY