National Liberal Party (NLP) leader Dr Augustus Kyalo Muli has criticised the proposed construction of the Kyuso–Tseikuru–Kandua road, describing it as a politically staged project that fails to address the real challenges facing residents of Kitui County and the wider Lower Eastern region.
Muli said the timing of the road’s advertisement in local dailies raised questions, coming barely a week after a public exchange between President William Ruto and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
During the exchange, President Ruto accused Musyoka of failing to deliver development in his home region despite having served in government for over four decades.
“This is not about development, it is about optics,” Muli said while addressing supporters at his Kitui residence during the distribution of Christmas gift hampers.
“Roads have been turned into political trophies meant to win arguments, not to solve the problems of our people.”
The NLP leader accused both President Ruto and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka of prioritising political point-scoring over people-centred development.
“For years, our people have been suffering from lack of water, drought and food insecurity, yet leaders only remember us when there is a political contest,” he said.
“You cannot talk about development when families are struggling to access clean water and food.”
Muli acknowledged the importance of infrastructure but argued that successive governments have focused narrowly on roads while neglecting critical social and economic needs in arid and semi-arid areas.
“Infrastructure must go hand in hand with solutions to water scarcity, climate shocks and livelihoods,” he said. “Otherwise, these announcements remain empty promises.”
He further claimed that residents of Kitui and Lower Eastern had grown weary of politically motivated projects that are announced during moments of political tension but rarely translate into meaningful change.
“Our people deserve honesty, not theatrics,” Muli added. “Development should be planned, inclusive and responsive to the real needs on the ground, not used as a weapon in political wars.”
The remarks come amid heightened political debate over development records and accountability in the Lower Eastern region.
