Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has raised concerns over President William Ruto’s pledge to construct 15,000 housing units in Kiambu County. Speaking on Citizen TV’s Daybreak program, the MP said the government has a history of launching projects that later stall, leaving communities with little to show.
President Ruto has promised major developments in Kiambu, including 30 modern markets worth Ksh.4.5 billion and housing units valued at Ksh.30 billion. However, Wamuchomba questioned the credibility of such commitments, pointing to incomplete projects in her constituency as evidence.
“The President is very popular and experienced at making promises with big figures. But many of those commitments have not materialized,” she said. “When I hear him talk about 15,000 housing units in a month, I laugh. We have seen this before.”
She cited the example of a market in Githunguri launched by Ruto with great fanfare, only for work to stop soon after. “The contractor left the day he did, and to date, the foundation stone remains untouched,” she told the show.
The MP argued that the government should focus on finishing already stalled initiatives before announcing new projects. These include markets, roads, and an aggregation centre that remain incomplete. “If he cannot deliver a market, how do you expect me to believe he will deliver 15,000 houses?” Wamuchomba posed.
Wamuchomba also criticized the growing trend of policy matters being handled at State House instead of debated in Parliament. Her remarks echo sentiments of other Ruto critics, including impeached former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who has accused the President of manipulating legislators with financial incentives to push through unpopular proposals.
As the housing agenda faces scrutiny, questions remain over whether Ruto’s ambitious pledges in Kiambu will move beyond the groundbreaking stage.
