Gachagua blames Chinese funding standoff, not bitumen shortages, for Rironi–Mau Summit Road delays

Gachagua blames Chinese funding standoff, not bitumen shortages, for Rironi–Mau Summit Road delays - DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua is welcomed at PCEA Kamangu Parish in Kikuyu Constituency, Kiambu County, where he attended church service on November 1, 2026. (Photo: X/Rigathi Gachagua)

Gachagua disputes Transport CS Davis Chirchir’s bitumen shortage explanation, claiming Chinese financiers have withheld funds over political uncertainty ahead of the 2027 elections.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the government of putting the Rironi–Mau Summit Road project at risk through questionable financing arrangements, claiming Chinese partners have withheld funding over fears of political uncertainty ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua dismissed Roads Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir’s explanation that construction delays were caused by shortages of bitumen linked to geopolitical tensions in Iran and global supply chain disruptions, insisting that the real problem was a lack of money.

Speaking during a church service in Kikuyu, Kiambu County on Sunday, Gachagua claimed Chinese government officials had declined to release funds because they considered the project politically risky ahead of next year’s election.

“Now, I have been informed that Chinese government officials have refused to release funds for this road because they view it as a ‘political project’ and consider it too risky, given that we have an election coming up next year,” he said.

He also questioned the project's financing arrangements, alleging that Sh30 billion belonging to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) had been channelled to two Chinese companies.

“I am saying there is no contract for that road. Money has been taken from NSSF, money belonging to pensioners, against the law. Sh30 billion has been given to two Chinese companies,” he claimed.

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Gachagua warned the companies and individuals involved in the financing arrangements that they would be held accountable, demanding that the money be returned.

His remarks came a day after Chirchir attributed construction delays to difficulties in securing bitumen over the past two months, citing geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global supply chains.

“Bitumen availability has been a challenge in the last 2 months due to the current geopolitical issues and supply chain disruptions; this has caused some setbacks and unexpected delays,” Chirchir said during an inspection of the works on Saturday.

The CS said the government had since secured bitumen for the initial stretch of the road, adding that the contractor was expected to lay about four kilometres daily.

Chirchir had earlier pushed the planned opening of a 60-kilometre section of the road to early December 2026, after missing the October 30 target.