Speaking in public during a burial in Kitui county, Kalonzo recalled that when plans were first made to upgrade the road to bitumen standard, he declined proposals for the project to begin at Tseikuru, his rural home area.
Instead, he insisted that construction should start from Mwingi town, arguing that leadership required fairness and prioritising the wider public interest over personal gain.
According to Kalonzo, the original design of the road envisioned it starting from Kibwezi and extending all the way to Tseikuru through Mwingi.
However, he noted that during his time in office, the country was not yet ready to undertake the project.
He maintained that the decision to delay tarmacking was informed by the circumstances at the time, not neglect.
The former vice president added that the current moment presents the right opportunity for the road to finally be upgraded, citing improved capacity and the growing economic importance of the region.
He expressed optimism that the project would now move forward and bring long-awaited relief to residents.
Kalonzo’s remarks come amid heightened criticism from President William Ruto, who has in recent days questioned the poor condition of the Mwingi–Tseikuru road, pointing out that it leads to Kalonzo’s home area.
The road has long been a source of frustration for locals, especially during rainy seasons when it becomes nearly impassable.
As political temperatures rise, the road has become more than just an infrastructure issue, evolving into a symbol of leadership accountability and competing political narratives ahead of the next general election.
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Politics