Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised President William Ruto over the cancellation of the Nairobi-Mombasa expressway project.
Claims of Political Punishment
Speaking on Saturday at a church service in Mututuni, Machakos County, Kalonzo said the project had been awarded to a US company but was terminated before it could begin.
He alleged that the move was political, aimed at punishing the people of Ukambani for opposing Ruto’s administration.
“Even along Mombasa Road, an American firm was finalising a Public Private Partnership to fund a road that would reduce accidents. But this project has been stopped by Ruto, and he is saying it is because of us,” Kalonzo claimed.
The Wiper leader promised residents that the project would be revived if the opposition wins the 2027 General Election.
KeNHA’s Explanation
Kalonzo’s remarks come a month after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) rejected a proposal from Everstrong Capital, a US infrastructure company.
The PPP deal was for the construction of the 440-kilometre Nairobi-Mombasa expressway. However, KeNHA said the proposal did not meet the requirements of the PPP Act 2021.
The decision was reached during the PPP Committee’s 54th ordinary meeting held on July 2, 2025. In a notice issued on August 12, KeNHA confirmed that Everstrong Capital had been advised to restructure its proposal.
A Key Project for Kenya
The Nairobi-Mombasa expressway is considered one of Kenya’s most important road projects. It is expected to ease congestion, reduce road accidents, and improve trade along the country’s busiest transport corridor.
For now, the future of the project remains uncertain as politics and technical evaluations collide.
