Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked fresh political controversy after alleging that President William Ruto demanded a multi-billion shilling bribe to facilitate the awarding of the Rironi–Mau Summit highway tender.
The claims, made during a press briefing in Nairobi on Tuesday, place one of Kenya’s most critical infrastructure projects at the centre of a growing governance dispute.
Addressing the media, Gachagua claimed that the long-delayed project has stalled due to alleged corruption at the highest level of government. He specifically pointed to what he described as an upfront demand tied to the contractor.
“There is no contract yet for the construction of the Rironi–Mau Summit highway because the President is demanding Ksh17 billion upfront as a bribe,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President alleged that the funds were expected to be delivered in cash by a Chinese contractor linked to the project, raising questions about transparency in the procurement process.
“The contractor has been asked to bring the money in cash before the contract can be signed. That is why the project has not taken off,” he added.
The Rironi–Mau Summit road, a key segment of the Nairobi–Nakuru highway, is considered vital for easing congestion along the Northern Corridor, one of East Africa’s busiest transport routes.
The project has faced repeated delays, including the collapse of an earlier Public-Private Partnership arrangement involving foreign financiers.
Gachagua also linked the stalled project to a separate financial controversy involving billions of shillings allegedly paid out following the cancellation of the previous deal.
He accused senior international figures of being involved in what he termed a questionable settlement.
“Kenyans must be told the truth about the Ksh7 billion that was paid out after the French deal collapsed. This was not done in the interest of the country,” he said.
In a further escalation, Gachagua referenced French President Emmanuel Macron, alleging external influence in the handling of the project’s financing and termination.
“We cannot ignore the role played by foreign actors in this matter. There was clear complicity in how this deal was structured and later collapsed,” he claimed.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and the government has yet to issue an official response to the claims.
However, the remarks are likely to intensify political tensions and renew scrutiny over the management of large-scale infrastructure projects in the country.
The Rironi–Mau Summit upgrade has been a flagship proposal aimed at transforming the Nairobi–Western Kenya transport corridor into a dual carriageway, reducing travel time and boosting regional trade.
Its continued delay has already drawn concern from transport stakeholders and business leaders.
Gachagua’s claims now add a new dimension to the debate, shifting focus from financing challenges to allegations of high-level corruption.