- Mwaura said there are many projects which are incomplete and cannot be released to Kenyans.
- Mwaura added that relaunching a project is for accountability purposes.
Image: ISAAC MWAURA/X
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has defended President William Ruto's move to relaunch projects, saying it is for a noble cause.
Mwaura said there are many projects that are incomplete and cannot be released to Kenyans.
While addressing the press on Thursday, Mwaura added that relaunching a project is for accountability purposes.
"The commencement of a project, the relaunching of a project that has stalled, and the completion or commissioning, if a project is stalled and relaunched, there is nothing as noble as that. It is the greatest extent of accountability," Mwaura said.
Mwaura added that projects may stall due to many factors; therefore, they are completed once the funds are in place.
"Projects stall because of budgetary challenges and huge public debt. When you see the president making sure that what has started is moving on, it clearly means the intention to make sure it is complete and serves the purpose upon which it was conceived," he said.
The government spokesperson said that by relaunching state projects, President Ruto is fulfilling the promises he made while he was the Deputy President.
"What is the need of having a project that is not complete and yet cannot serve its purpose, but when you have it relaunched when you re-engineer it again and redraw the plans? There could be headwinds in anything that we do in life. I think it is noble."
His sentiments come when Kenyans on social media have raised concerns about developmental projects launched by the President.
Lawyer and activist Morara Kebaso was at the forefront of pointing out the status of government projects done by the president.
Morara took the internet by storm after he launched a nationwide tour to inspect the progress of projects.
However, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed told him off for allegedly misleading Kenyans over the status of the projects.
Morara had criticised some leaders for praising Ruto for the road project.
Of specific concern to Mohammed was the Metembe - Marani - Kegogi - Nyaore Road.
The road crisscrosses Kitutu Chache North and South constituencies in Kisii and is 64.6 kilometres.
“Launched in 2016 by Uhuru. Launched again juzi (yesterday) when Ruto came to Kisii. Those leaders should stop playing with our minds. Which development did the president bring to Kisii? Tell us,” Morara said on X.
Responding to Morara, Mohammed said the project was initially awarded on May 11, 2016, and work commenced on August 5, 2016, after its launch by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“But the contract was mutually terminated on May 16, 2023, due to the contractor's non-performance. At the time of termination, the contractor had completed 27 kilometres, with 77 months having lapsed out of the 30-month contract period,” Mohammed said.
The UDA party, a member of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance headed by the President also said the results speak for themselves.
They highlighted eight projects that have been successful under Ruto's leadership.
The projects include Kenya Airways profits, Tourism revenue surge, economic growth forecast, sugar production boom, new job opportunities and housing development.
Others are completed roads and reduced cost of living.