Kindiki Tells Off Kenyans Mocking Ruto Over Mastering Road Projects
Kindiki observed that many online users took advantage of the road project President Ruto named during his recent Northern Kenya tour to create a trend
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday, February 18 hit out at online critics mocking President William Ruto over his mastery of road projects in the country. This is as he confirmed that 11 contractors are actively working on the construction of the Isiolo-Mandera road.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with Meru leaders, the second-in-command observed that many online users took advantage of the road project President Ruto named during his recent Northern Kenya tour to create a trend, mocking him though not knowing that the road was already under construction.
"I saw people making a lot of fun about the long road that he (Ruto) was explaining. I was very happy when I saw people trying to mock the President because I have information which they do not have," he stated, adding "That road is going to be constructed and people saying that do not know."
A section of Isiolo-Mandera Road under construction. /SIMBA GULEID
Kindiki also stressed that the project would be a major government milestone showcased ahead of the 2027 general elections. Additionally, he assured that the road would be instrumental in unlocking the region's economic potential.
"This government is going to construct a road from Isiolo to Mandaera in the next 2 and a half years. There are 11 contractors on the ground as we speak,"
"In some sections, 50 per cent have already been tarmacked. Some people are just on the phone and they do not know anything. They do not know where Samata or Kotulo is. When 2027 comes, we shall use that road to account."
Recently, Kenyans have turned Ruto's sentiments into memes and short videos circulating on social media. Notably, this follows a statement by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in which he accused Ruto of using road projects as a strategy to win over voters.
"This man conned a community. He conned all of us - our bishops, our reverends, our pastors. That is the same script. If you fall for him, you will cry just like the people of the Mountain," the former DP claimed.
Meanwhile, Kindiki criticized Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries for inviting President William Ruto to inaugurate projects without ensuring their completion. He stressed that the president should only be invited to launch projects that are either finished or fully funded to guarantee their successful completion.
"Properly briefing the president on a project he's going to inspect or launch is critical in shielding him from embarrassment and criticism," Kindiki said.
He continued, "We want to spare the president from routine announcements or projects where he hasn't been properly briefed on their funding and timelines. Ministers and PSs sometimes embarrass the president by inviting him to events knowing well that the project isn’t fully funded."
Kindiki assured that he would personally inspect some projects before inviting the president to avoid any negative publicity. "I should inspect something, and if it gets stuck, the embarrassment comes to me, not the president. By the time he arrives, we are sure it's either a completed project or fully funded with an end-to-end solution," he explained.
Kindiki's remarks come a month after President Ruto issued a stern warning to contractors delaying key government projects. "You have been paid all the money required. There’s no reason why this project isn’t progressing," Ruto said while in Kisii.
