Africa-Press – Kenya. National Liberal Party (NLP) leader Dr Augustus Kyalo Muli has dismissed the planned construction of the Kyuso–Tseikuru–Kandua road in Kitui County.
He termed the road construction as a politically choreographed project aimed at advancing elite interests rather than addressing the long-standing challenges facing residents of Kitui and the wider Lower Eastern region.
Muli said the road project, whose advert appeared in local dailies on Tuesday, was part of a political spectacle following a week-long public exchange between President William Ruto and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The President has in recent days accused Kalonzo of failing to deliver meaningful development in his home region despite having served in government for more than four decades.
Addressing supporters who gathered at his Kitui residence to receive Christmas gift hampers, Muli accused both leaders of engaging in what he described as “politics of optics” designed to score political points rather than deliver people-centred development.
“While infrastructure remains important, successive governments have elevated roads into political trophies while ignoring more urgent challenges such as perennial water shortages, recurrent drought and food insecurity,” Muli stated.
He argued that the focus on a single road project was misplaced, insisting that the problems facing the Kamba community go far beyond one stretch of tarmac.
According to Muli, the Lower Eastern region has for years grappled with lack of access to clean water, unreliable food systems and inadequate investment in climate resilience, issues he said continue to be sidelined during political contests.
Muli further blamed both leaders for the slow pace of development in Ukambani, noting that both of them have previously occupied powerful positions in government.
Ruto served as Deputy President for two terms, while Kalonzo was Vice President during the administration of former President Mwai Kibaki.
“They should stop playing with our minds. They were both in powerful leadership positions. They both did not deliver anything,” he said.
His remarks come amid escalating political exchanges over the controversial road project.
Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya, a close ally of Ruto and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) national organising secretary, has also launched a scathing attack on Kalonzo over the issue.
The exchanges intensified on December 15 when Ruto took a direct swipe at the Wiper leader, questioning why the road leading to Kalonzo’s home remained dusty despite his long political career.
“How do you campaign for development when the road to your own home is still dusty?” Ruto posed.
In response, Kalonzo accused the President of being fixated on him instead of focusing on delivering infrastructure projects equitably across the country, saying development should not be reduced to political point-scoring.
The Kyuso–Tseikuru–Kandua road has since become a flashpoint in the ongoing political rivalry.
