Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has dismissed claims that the government inflated the cost of the Rironi-Mau Summit highway project, accusing unnamed political leaders of spreading misleading information about the multibillion-shilling road project.
Mbadi challenged the leader, who claimed that the 233-kilometre highway had initially been estimated at Ksh150 billion before the cost rose to Ksh200 billion following the exit of a French firm, to seek expert advice before commenting on the project.
Speaking in a video statement, the CS argued that the criticism overlooked changes in the highway’s design and the financial risks associated with the previous contract.
“You know, if a lie is repeated, it becomes a truth,” Mbadi said, warning that repeated claims could mislead Kenyans who might not have access to the full details of the project.
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He questioned the basis of the cost allegations, saying the design of the road had changed, particularly on the Naivasha-Nakuru section, which is now planned as an eight-lane highway.
“Before you make comments on serious matters like this, it would be important to have some people because you may not have the capacity, really, to understand the whole concept and what is going on. But that’s not a crime. You just engage some minds. If you don’t have them, you can borrow,” he said.
Mbadi maintained that comparing the current project cost with earlier estimates without considering the changes in design amounted to discussing different projects.
“The design of that road changed from Naivasha to Nakuru. It is now eight lanes. Go and check the other design. It was not that,” he added.
The Treasury CS also defended the government’s decision to terminate the previous agreement with the French contractor, saying the arrangement exposed the country to unacceptable financial risks.
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“One of the reasons why this government decided to terminate the other contract was because of the commercial risk that was passing to government. It was a huge risk to our economy,” he said.
Mbadi argued that the previous arrangement would have transferred significant commercial obligations to the government, warning that retaining such an agreement would have exposed public finances.
“The commercial risk was being passed to the sovereign, and that was not acceptable. You can’t be that careless. You can’t expose your economy to that extent,” he added.
Mbadi warns against misleading Kenyans
The CS further accused politicians of making statements without establishing the facts, saying such remarks could mislead members of the public who rely on social media for information.
He cited previous debates surrounding the Finance Bill, saying he had encountered Kenyans who expressed strong opinions about provisions they had not personally read.
“When I started engaging with Kenyans, someone comes out so passionate and speaking with actually a lot of anger and saying things that are actually not in the Bill because amesikia, yaani ameambiwa,” Mbadi said.
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He blamed the spread of misinformation partly on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, arguing that repeated claims could easily become accepted as facts when left unchallenged.
“That has made me not to assume things. If you assume that people know the truth and you don’t tell them, utajikuta you are alone. Everybody believes the lie,” he stated.
Mbadi said his decision to respond was not necessarily aimed at defending the politician who made the allegations but protecting Kenyans from being misled.
“Because really, there are some people when they talk, the best thing to do is to ignore them. But if you realise they can confuse some good people out there, then you save the good people. I am not saving him, I am saving the good people,” he said.
He concluded with a pointed remark directed at the unnamed leader, referencing previous comments suggesting that he could relocate to another country.
“After all, he has said he can migrate to another country as we don’t have anywhere to go,” Mbadi added.
Background of the KSh200 billion highway project
The 233-kilometre Rironi-Mau Summit highway is a major transport infrastructure project connecting Kiambu and Nakuru counties through Naivasha, with the aim of improving movement along the Northern Corridor.
The government abandoned the earlier arrangement involving a French consortium comprising Vinci Highways SAS, Meridian Infrastructure Africa Fund and Vinci Concessions SAS, before pursuing new agreements with Chinese contractors.
The current project was divided into two sections, with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), in partnership with the National Social Security Fund, taking up the 139-kilometre section, while Shandong Hi-Speed Road and Bridge International was assigned the 94-kilometre section.
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The project has also attracted scrutiny over its financing arrangements, with previous reports detailing concerns about the financial obligations under the abandoned French deal.
In August 2026, the government said construction of the Rironi-Naivasha section was progressing, with the contractor targeting completion of tarmacking by December 2026.
