Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek has criticised Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over his remarks about President William Ruto and members of the Kenyan delegation walking through the streets of New York during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly.
Sifuna had questioned why Cabinet Secretaries accompanying Ruto to the UNGA could comfortably walk through New York, yet Kenyan officials rarely take similar walks around Nairobi to experience the challenges facing ordinary residents.
Speaking during Senate proceedings on Wednesday, September 23, Sifuna said he had seen Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CS Hassan Joho posting himself walking through the streets of New York. He argued that Nairobi still faces significant challenges involving roads, pavements and infrastructure for pedestrians.
“The most interesting thing Kenyans have noted is that this government delegation has never taken a walk in our own capital the way that they’re walking around in other capitals,” Sifuna said.
He also called for greater attention to infrastructure that supports pedestrians and non-motorised transport, while criticising the absence of several Cabinet Secretaries from a Senate session in Kilifi.
Kiborek, however, challenged Sifuna to take responsibility for the state of Nairobi as the senator representing the capital.
“Mr. Edwin, if Nairobi’s streets need better oversight, then you are the Nairobi Senator. Where is your oversight?” Kiborek said.
The Mogotio MP accused Sifuna of spending more time attending political rallies and travelling in convoys across Nairobi than following up on the city's infrastructure challenges.
“We have seen you on political rallies and convoys across Nairobi, but we rarely see you spending the same energy following up on the city’s infrastructure challenges,” he added.
Kiborek also sought to draw a connection between Sifuna's criticism of Ruto's development projects and his comments about infrastructure in New York.
He recalled Sifuna's criticism of what he described as the government's “shiny things”, including the Talanta Stadium, arguing that Sifuna had previously questioned whether major infrastructure projects should take priority over other national needs.
Sifuna has indeed criticised the cost and procurement of Talanta Stadium, saying the project's initial KSh20 billion estimate had risen to KSh35 billion and later KSh45 billion. He has maintained that his criticism is about transparency and value for money rather than opposition to development itself.
Kiborek questioned the apparent contradiction, asking why roads and other infrastructure could be criticised when built by Ruto's administration but cited as evidence of a functioning city when discussing New York.
“Mr. Edwin, Nairobi needs solutions, not selective outrage,” Kiborek said.
The exchange comes amid wider political disagreement over Ruto's UNGA delegation. Seven Cabinet Secretaries accompanied the President to New York, with government-aligned senators defending the trip as an opportunity for ministers to hold bilateral meetings and pursue government business abroad.