Stalled projects, unfulfilled promises cloud Ruto's visit to Mt Kenya

President William Ruto and his allies may be optimistic ahead of his planned visit to the Mt Kenya region, but residents claim they are unhappy with the litany of unfulfilled promises and stalled projects.

During his previous visits to the region, President Ruto provided timelines for the commencement or completion of specific projects. However, several key initiatives have since stalled, while others have yet to progress beyond his proclamations.

These projects are spread across the region, with some residents arguing that excessive political focus is overshadowing service delivery.

For instance, residents of Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties have pointed to infrastructure, education, and agriculture as some of President Ruto’s unfulfilled pledges.

One delayed project that residents of both counties want urgently addressed is the redesign or relocation of the Nithi Bridge blackspot.

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Over the years, this treacherous section of the road has claimed dozens of lives and left many physically and psychologically scarred.

"If I had somewhere else to go, I would relocate my home far from this bridge. It is traumatic to recall the number of times we have had to respond when public service and private vehicles plunge into the river. I have handled more dead bodies than I can count," said Dennis Kirimi, a resident.

"If I were asked, some projects like rural roads could wait if the government lacks funds. But the Nithi Bridge should be prioritised above all pending projects," he added.

During his previous visits, including his presidential campaign in the larger Meru region, Ruto pledged to address the Nithi Bridge issue soon after taking office.

"He had promised action within 100 days. We are still waiting. Since that pledge, several accidents have occurred, and dozens of lives have been lost since Kenya Kwanza took power," said Georgina Mutegi, a resident of Marima.

Locals insist that redesigning the Nithi Bridge will save lives, benefiting not just Meru residents but people from across the country.

"The economic burden of accidents that have happened here is enormous. Farmers, doctors, tourists, and students whose parents invested heavily in their education have died here. Some people I know have suffered life-changing injuries and are constantly in hospital," said Mrs Mutegi, a teacher.

Previously, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki stated that approximately Sh1 billion was required for the relocation of the bridge, a sum that was unavailable.

Mr Njuki, who has in the past advocated for the bridge's relocation, said the national government had committed to addressing the issue once funds were secured.

Titus Murangiri, a trader, believes the matter has not been taken seriously enough.

"It is mind-boggling that both the national and county governments have failed to secure Sh1 billion over the years they have been in power. Because of this, many people, including young people, continue to die at this spot," said Murangiri.

Ruto's unfulfilled industrial promises

Ruto also pledged to establish a new milk processor and an additional tea factory for Tharaka Nithi during his campaign in June 2022.

“It is unfortunate that dairy farmers in Tharaka Nithi sell their milk to a processor in Meru County, yet we can build a factory here, which would mean more income for our farmers and job opportunities for our people. Ruto pledged a milk factory more than three years ago, but we have yet to see even a ground-breaking ceremony,” said James Mutembei, a dairy farmer.

Similarly, the miraa (khat) sub-sector, which supports 600,000 people in Meru and many more across the country, remains controlled by cartels.

President Ruto famously pledged to eliminate these cartels just days before his swearing-in.

“Do not worry about the miraa business. And those brokers and cartels should not trouble you. You have given me power, and I assure you, I will deal with them. Leave the cartels to me. When I put the Bible down (after swearing in), it will be me against them!” Ruto had vowed in the miraa-growing region of Igembe.

However, according to Nyambene Miraa Farmers and Traders Association (Nyamita) chairman Kimathi Munjuri, the cartel still controls exports to Somalia, the largest remaining market after the crop was banned in Europe.

Munjuri explained that a group of shadowy operatives dictates which airline receives permission from the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority to transport miraa into Somali airspace.

For this, they collect a hefty commission—USD 4.50 per kg of miraa in 2022, when the issue was first raised with Ruto, which has now increased to USD 9.50 per kg.

“The painful reality is that the government, through various agencies and individuals, is painting innocent players in the miraa value chain—such as AFA-licensed miraa export companies, permitted airlines, and legitimate traders—as the cartel,” Munjuri said.

He urged the government to take action against the cartel, which he claimed comprises high-ranking officials in the Somali and Kenyan governments.

“They dictate the quantity of miraa they can take into Somalia, where it can be sold, what they can charge, and even how much farmers can earn. A hefty commission is paid to them by shippers,” he alleged.

Nyeri's stalled development projects

In Nyeri, residents have also expressed frustration over the numerous development projects that remain incomplete years after their initiation.

Among the most prominent stalled projects is the Ruring’u Stadium. Once envisioned as a world-class sporting facility, it has instead become a symbol of government inefficiency and broken promises.

Originally commissioned in June 2017 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the 20,000-seater stadium was expected to boost sports and youth development in the region. However, nearly eight years later, it remains an incomplete and abandoned structure.

In February 2024, President Ruto issued a fresh directive, setting a new deadline for completion by December that year. He even warned the contractor of termination if the project was not finished on time. However, as of March 2025, little visible progress has been made.

"We were excited when this project started because it was meant to create opportunities for young athletes in Nyeri. Now, it’s just an abandoned structure with overgrown bushes," said Samuel Wanjohi, a local football coach.

"How many times will they set new deadlines? They promised this stadium would be ready before the last elections, and now they are saying the same thing again," lamented Miriam Wangechi, a Ruring’u resident.

For small businesses, the stalled project has meant lost economic opportunities. Vendors who had hoped to benefit from increased activity around the stadium say they have suffered financially.

Similarly, Ruto’s Affordable Housing Programme in Nyeri, initially celebrated as a solution to the housing crisis, has failed to take off as promised.

Despite groundbreaking ceremonies in areas such as Nyeri Town, Karatina, Othaya, and Mukurwe-ini, little progress has been made.

"We were told that these houses would be ready in two years. Now, there is barely any progress on the ground. The government asked us to apply for these houses, but how can we apply for something that doesn’t exist?" asked Peter Maina, a boda boda rider in Nyeri Town.

Several road projects have also experienced significant delays, including the expansion of the 84-kilometre Kenol-Sagana-Marua Highway.

Residents argue they have heard enough speeches and new deadlines and now demand real action. They insist that, as taxpayers, they deserve better than empty promises.

"Enough is enough! We are tired of empty promises and endless speeches. The government has been fooling us for too long while our roads remain impassable, our markets unfinished, and our stadium abandoned. We are the ones paying taxes, yet we see no results. It’s time for action, not more talk. We demand that these projects be completed immediately!" said James Kariuki, a Nyeri resident.