GACHAGUA ACCUSES PRESIDENT MACRON OF MAU ROAD SCANDAL

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched fresh attacks against visiting French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of being indirectly tied to a controversial multi-billion-shilling payout linked to the cancelled Rironi-Mau Summit Road project.

Addressing a press briefing in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 12, Gachagua alleged that Kenya risks losing up to a tune of Ksh7 billion following the collapse of the highway deal that had initially been awarded to French firms under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

The former deputy president claimed the compensation paid to the French contractors after the cancellation of the project was irregular and further alleged that Macron’s visit to Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit was partly linked to unresolved financial interests surrounding the deal.

“Mr Macron, you are an accomplice in the Ksh7 billion payout from the people of Kenya linked to the cancelled Rironi-Mau Summit Road contract,” Gachagua claimed.

The Rironi-Mau Summit Road project had been presented as a major infrastructure plan aimed at expanding the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway corridor to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and ease transport between Nairobi and western Kenya.

According to Gachagua, the French firms had initially secured a contract worth approximately Ksh159 billion before the arrangement was later terminated by President William Ruto’s administration. He alleged that despite works not commencing, billions were still paid out to the contractors as compensation.

He further referenced claims allegedly raised in reports surrounding the Fuel Levy Fund, insisting taxpayers’ money had been diverted to settle the dispute after the deal collapsed. Gachagua also argued that the project was later reassigned under a different arrangement involving Chinese contractors.
“Taxpayers' money has been used and wired to French firms to the tune of Ksh7 billion, being proceeds of crime, as their children are not in school and they have no food on the table,” he stated.

The DCP party leader went on to link public frustrations over the deal to disruptions witnessed during Macron’s address at the Africa Forward Summit held at the University of Nairobi’s Taifa Hall on Monday, where sections of attendees interrupted proceedings with chants and noise.

“That’s the reason why Kenyans were making noise to you not to leave our borders with this money, as we need it to pay fees. If Kenyans meet you elsewhere, they will make more noise,” Gachagua added.

During the same press conference, Gachagua also appealed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to address what he described as governance, democracy and human rights concerns in Kenya. He accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of political intolerance and claimed the country risked instability ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“We thank the UN Secretary General for coming to Nairobi so that we address him from here on the danger that the Horn of Africa faces courtesy of his host Mr. William Ruto,” he said.

He further cited cases involving Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, Turkish asylum seekers and Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi as examples of what he termed growing transnational repression within the region.

The remarks come at a time when Kenya and France are strengthening bilateral ties through a series of agreements signed during the Africa Forward Summit. President Ruto and President Macron on Monday witnessed the signing of 11 memoranda of understanding valued at roughly Ksh150 billion, targeting infrastructure, energy and transport projects.

Among the agreements announced was a Ksh104 billion investment involving French logistics giant CMA CGM to renovate and expand two terminals at the Port of Mombasa.
“CMA CGM has agreed to renovate two terminals at the Mombasa Port at a total investment of 700 million euros,” Macron stated during the summit.

France also committed funding toward the expansion of the Kipeto wind power project by an additional 100 megawatts in a project estimated to cost about Ksh32.5 billion.

Meanwhile, protests and anti-French sentiments were reported in parts of Nairobi during the summit, with several demonstrators reportedly detained near the Kenyatta International Convention Centre while attempting to access the venue.
Protesters accused foreign powers of exploiting African economies and questioned the growing influence of international interests in Kenya’s development agenda.

The cancelled Rironi-Mau Summit Road project has remained one of the country’s most debated infrastructure plans since its unveiling, with concerns previously emerging over financing terms, toll charges and the long-term cost to taxpayers.
The government later shifted focus toward alternative funding models as part of efforts to continue expanding the strategic Nairobi-Nakuru-Malaba transport corridor.