Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, on Tuesday, alleged that President William Ruto’s car nearly rolled over on the Embu-Meru Highway due to the poor state of the road.
Ruto who was on a 3-day working tour in the region was concerned after his car tyre burst mid-journey according to the UDA party lawmaker.
Kathuri thus issued an ultimatum to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to repair the road which he alleged was nearly impassable. He also urged the authority's Director General to visit Meru and the neighbouring Tharaka Nithi and Embu Counties to assess ongoing projects.
“The President’s car had to stop after hitting a pothole. If the President himself is in danger on our roads, who is safe?” Kathuri asked.
He further sympathised with the President for enduring a terrifying ordeal which nearly risked the security of the nation.
“Imagine if it was downhill with the speed of the Presidential motorcade. Imagine what would have happened to the Head of State!” He wondered.
Kathuri remarked that Ruto's saving grace was that the vehicle was moving uphill at the time of the alleged incident.
The Meru Senator also regretted the poor state of roads in Meru County and accused KeNHA of laxity despite being funded to construct and maintain roads.
KeNHA officials, he alleged, may have embezzled funds through illegal awarding of tenders, hence the slow progress of infrastructural developments. Kenyans.co.ke could not independently verify these allegations.
“We are taxpayers and if the roads are not maintained then you will tell us why you are in office,” Kathuri threatened.
Neither the Office of the President nor KeNHA had responded to the allegations made by the Senator.
Kenyans.co.ke also reached out to Press Secretary of the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) Emmanuel Talam and State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed.
Emmanuel Talaam in response stated that he was not aware of such an incident.
