The national government has formally announced plans to upgrade the Kyuso–Tseikuru Road—a crucial transport link in Kitui County that leads to Tseikuru, the ancestral home of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka—in a move that has reignited a heated political debate between President William Ruto and the veteran opposition politician.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) this week invited bids from contractors to strengthen and upgrade the road to durable bitumen standards, with a mandatory pre-tender site visit scheduled for January 15, 2026, at Kandwia Shopping Centre.
This announcement comes amid a high-profile exchange between Ruto and Kalonzo over responsibility for rural infrastructure in Eastern Kenya. In comments that have drawn widespread attention, President Ruto publicly criticised Kalonzo for the long-standing poor condition of the road, arguing that despite decades in leadership—including a tenure as Vice-President—he had not delivered basic infrastructure leading to his home region.
In response, Kalonzo has defended his record, disputing Ruto’s characterisation of events and asserting that major infrastructure initiatives were undertaken during his time in government.
The Wiper leader has also challenged the timeline and ownership of certain road projects, drawing attention to broader questions about political legacy and development priorities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
