President William Ruto’s infrastructure drive in Central Kenya has become a high-stakes test of his administration’s ability to translate concrete progress into lasting political support. The region, which delivered nearly half of his 2022 votes, now grapples with competing narratives about development priorities and political loyalty.
Ruto’s five-day tour, launched on April 1, 2025, has already traversed Laikipia, Nyeri, Meru, and Kirinyaga counties. In Laikipia, he commissioned water projects in Rumuruti and inspected electricity upgrades in Nanyuki. The tour’s centerpiece, the 72km Mau Mau Road, contrasts sharply with delayed housing plans and incomplete water systems in neighboring counties.
Critics argue the timing of these initiatives reveals political calculation rather than genuine reform. Launched six months after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, the projects face accusations of being transactional gestures. This perception complicates Ruto’s efforts to position himself as a unifying leader.
Gachagua’s transformation from ally to critic has reshaped the region’s dynamics. His rallies now draw thousands as he dismisses Ruto’s projects as “tarmac for votes,” urging supporters to “take development but keep dignity.” The message resonates as maize flour prices double since 2022, amplifying frustration over unmet economic promises.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga’s ODM party capitalizes on the rift. Quietly rebuilding grassroots networks through small-trader empowerment programs, ODM has made surprising gains in recent by-elections. This strategy complicates Ruto’s outreach, particularly after his March 2025 alliance with ODM alienated portions of both leaders’ traditional bases.
On the ground, reactions remain divided. Traders in Kagio’s upgraded markets praise new roofs but lament stagnant sales. Contractors report payment delays for completed infrastructure work, with one engineer revealing 60% of owed funds remain outstanding.
Sustainability concerns further cloud the narrative. A leaked Transport Ministry memo warns that maintaining new roads requires unallocated funds beyond 2026. These revelations fuel doubts about long-term planning, even as ribbon-cutting ceremonies dominate headlines.
The 2027 electoral horizon looms large. Youth unemployment stands at 41%, while delayed housing projects undermine trust in government follow-through. Analysts note Central Kenya’s loyalty hinges on addressing these deeper economic anxieties alongside infrastructure gains.
Political fissures continue widening. Gachagua’s rallies attract disaffected voters, while ODM’s resurgence challenges Ruto’s grip on opposition-leaning areas. Murmurs of a fractured Kalenjin-Kikuyu alliance grow louder, threatening the coalition that propelled Ruto to power.
As the tour advances to Embu and Tharaka-Nithi, the stakes crystallize. Will Ruto’s concrete achievements outweigh narratives of transactional politics? For now, Central Kenya’s political potholes remain unpatched, jolting the president’s 2027 ambitions with every mile of new tarmac laid.
