Why President Ruto issued urgent directive during Kitui road project tour

President Ruto on Saturday inspected the ongoing upgrading of the Chuluni to Zombe section of the B87 road to bitumen standards in Kitui County.

The 25-kilometre road project is managed under the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and forms a critical part of a wider infrastructure development drive in the region.

Work on the road upgrade commenced in November 2025, and is officially scheduled for completion in June 2027.

During his inspection tour, President Ruto directed the contractor to accelerate works on the road, which was originally slated to conclude in December 2027, but he wants to ensure its delivery ahead of schedule.

The government is currently constructing 250 kilometres of road projects across Kitui County at a total cost of Sh5.5 billion.

Improving this specific B87 corridor is expected to provide better connections between Chuluni, Zombe, and Kitui Town, easing transport for local populations.

According to government reports, the local road network development aims to open up local markets and support regional trading activities.

President Ruto emphasized that his administration remains committed to implementing road infrastructure projects equitably across the country, stating that development projects would be executed across all regions, although some areas did not vote for him.

In addition to the road inspection, President Ruto toured the construction site of the Zombe Modern Market, which began in March 2025 and is scheduled for completion in December 2026.

The market construction will support local traders by providing modern facilities, water, electricity, and digital hubs, once it is fully operational.

The national executive is also working on larger national funding strategies to support regional infrastructure projects.

President Ruto highlighted the role of the newly established National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) in providing sustainable financing for major projects, stating that the country can no longer afford to postpone critical infrastructure investments.

He noted that the NIF has already mobilized Sh350 billion from the sale of government Safaricom shares and the partial divestiture of the state's shareholding in the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).

These funds will be utilized to support critical infrastructure such as roads, dams, and airport developments nationwide, addressing long-standing challenges, if any water-scarce regions require urgent interventions.

Other stalled local projects, including the Umaa Dam and the Thwake Dam, which received Sh10.6 billion, are planned for revival under the newly structured national program.

The Chuluni to Zombe road upgrade, which was awarded for approximately Sh1.41 billion in December 2025, is expected to reduce local transit times significantly once the bitumen surface is fully laid.

Currently, the civil works include site clearance, earthworks for widening to formation, installation of gabions, and lining of drains using stone pitching.

The pavement structure will consist of a cement-improved gravel sub-base, a cement-improved base, and an asphalt concrete wearing course.

The scope of works also entails the construction of a box culvert at the river crossing and the installation of cross-pipe culverts.

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir and Kitui East Member of Parliament (MP) Nimrod Mbai accompanied the head of state during the weekend project assessment.

The delegation reviewed the technical progress of the contractor, who is executing various sections of the 25-kilometre alignment.

This inspection highlights the state's ongoing efforts to oversee critical transport projects directly, when local development demands urgent executive oversight.