President William Ruto has faced sharp criticism from Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who accused him of misleading Mount Kenya residents about his administration’s achievements ahead of his five-day tour in the region.
The President is set to commission completed projects, inspect ongoing ones, and launch new initiatives in counties including Laikipia, Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Kiambu.
Wamuchomba, speaking on Citizen TV’s Daybreak program on Tuesday, claimed that Ruto’s visit is an attempt to counter perceptions among voters that he has failed to deliver on his promises.
The MP alleged that many residents view the President as a leader who does not follow through on his commitments. “He is coming to unjustify the perception people have of him that he does not deliver on his promises,” Wamuchomba said.
The MP also criticized Ruto’s Monday night interview with broadcasters serving the Mount Kenya region, accusing him of lying about his government’s performance.
She cited the Nithi Bridge project as an example, which Ruto had promised to complete within 100 days but remains unfinished eight months later. “As the President, you cannot say you have been consulting your lieutenants eight months later,” Wamuchomba remarked.
Additionally, Wamuchomba expressed disappointment with Ruto’s claims of stabilizing milk and coffee prices for Mount Kenya farmers.
She argued that the Coffee Cherry Fund had not benefited farmers directly as promised and accused the government of mismanaging funds meant for coffee sector debt waivers.
“The only waiver money I know about was to a coffee society in Mathira, but three months later farmers were deducted for it,” she said.
Despite her criticisms, Wamuchomba commended Ruto for implementing coffee reforms that streamlined governance structures and redirected funds from brokers and millers directly to farmers.
Ruto’s visit marks his first tour of Mount Kenya in nearly six months and comes amid growing political tensions in the region.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also weighed in on the issue, challenging Ruto to launch new projects rather than rebrand those initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking at a rally in Kiambu County on Monday, Gachagua accused Ruto of being a “perpetual liar” and urged residents to ignore his rhetoric.
The President defended himself during his media interview, asserting that he had initiated key infrastructure projects such as the road from Marua through Wamunyoro.
His itinerary includes projects across sectors like road infrastructure, affordable housing, irrigation systems, electricity connectivity, and fresh produce markets.
