EXPOSED: How Ruto’s Unfulfilled Promises Have Sparked Protests in Nyamira, Bungoma
Residents of Nyamira and Bungoma counties took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the poor condition of local roadways.
The marchers said the roads had been in that condition for years, despite President William Ruto’s promise during his stint as deputy president to replace the critical routes with tarmac.
Over three years ago, during the height of the 2022 campaign, the President, then as DP, announced the start of the Manga-Mote-Momwamu road project, along with hundreds of kilometers of other road works.
In May of that year, he invited citizens to choose roadways they saw as critical for economic transformation, promising development that would spur growth throughout the region.
“Tutaweka sahihi na watu wa Nyamira mtuambie barabara gani ni muhimu kwenu,” he said then.
But President William Ruto’s unfulfilled promises to upgrade the Manga-Mote-Momwamu route have fueled rising discontent in Nyamira County.
Residents are upset and have organized frequent rallies to put pressure on the government to act.
“Kuna kipindi nakumbuka akija na CS Duale akisema hii barabara itawekwa lami tumengoja hatujui itakuja lini,” said area resident Douglas Ngare.
According to locals, the road has deteriorated to the point where motorists often become trapped in deep mud during rainstorms, prompting passersby to push automobiles.
“Hii barabara imekuwa ikitusumbua kwa muda mrefu,” said Geoffrey Mombinya, resident, Manga, Nyamira.
“Haipitiki ata magari za kupeleka makaratasi zinakwama,” added Douglas Ngare, resident, Manga, Nyamira.
On Tuesday, outraged neighbors marched along the road, demanding immediate repairs and urging political leaders not to use the project as a campaign slogan until they produce results.
A similar incident occurred in Lwakhaka, Bungoma County, where villagers blocked the Kenya-Uganda border route to protest its bad state, halting business activities.
“Barabara ni mbaya kuenda hadi Bungoma… magari yetu yanakwama,” said Joy Nelima, Lwakhaka resident.
Hundreds of travelers were stuck after motorcars joined the peaceful demonstrations.
The route, which serves as a vital transport link between Kenya, Uganda, and other neighbouring countries, has fallen into disrepair for years, severely hampering the movement of goods and services.
“Viongozi muwajibike mnafanya hali ya usafiri kutatizika… barabara inayoingia Uganda iko sawa yetu ndio mbovu,” said Peter Kituyi, driver.
Residents in both counties are now calling on local leaders, county governments and the national government to move with speed and rehabilitate the critical infrastructure.
EXPOSED: How Ruto’s Unfulfilled Promises Have Sparked Protests in Nyamira, Bungoma
