President Ruto made the comments on Thursday, December 18, 2025, while presiding over the handover of Affordable Housing units in Mukuru Kwa Njenga.
During the event, the Head of State questioned Kalonzo’s leadership credentials, citing the state of infrastructure in his home area despite decades in public service.
Ruto suggested that Kalonzo’s inability to improve road access in his home region undermined his capacity to champion Kenya’s renewed ambition of transforming into a first-world economy under the so-called “Singapore dream.”
“If someone cannot develop the road leading to his own home after 40 years in leadership, how can he plan roads to Ethiopia?” Ruto posed, in remarks delivered partly in Kiswahili.
The comments sparked swift backlash from opposition leaders, with Sifuna leading the defence of Kalonzo.
In a statement shared on X on Friday, December 19, Sifuna dismissed the President’s argument, saying national leadership should not be measured by personal or village-based development projects.
“This is exactly the mindset that will derail any dream of taking Kenya to Singapore levels,” Sifuna said.
Ruto suggested that Kalonzo’s inability to improve road access in his home region undermined his capacity to champion Kenya’s renewed ambition of transforming into a first-world economy under the so-called “Singapore dream.”
“If someone cannot develop the road leading to his own home after 40 years in leadership, how can he plan roads to Ethiopia?” Ruto posed, in remarks delivered partly in Kiswahili.
The comments sparked swift backlash from opposition leaders, with Sifuna leading the defence of Kalonzo.
In a statement shared on X on Friday, December 19, Sifuna dismissed the President’s argument, saying national leadership should not be measured by personal or village-based development projects.
“This is exactly the mindset that will derail any dream of taking Kenya to Singapore levels,” Sifuna said.
“Leadership is not about fixing your own road first. Yes, everyone wants development at home, but national priorities must come before personal interests.”
Sifuna argued that infrastructure planning must be guided by broader economic and social impact rather than individual political symbolism.
Sifuna argued that infrastructure planning must be guided by broader economic and social impact rather than individual political symbolism.
He added that prioritising personal benefit reflects misplaced values in public leadership.
“In 2027, Kenyans must reject leaders who believe starting with themselves is the benchmark of good governance,” he said.
The exchange has intensified political debate around the government’s development agenda and its push to position Kenya as a modern, competitive economy through large-scale infrastructure investment.
Amid the debate, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU–Kenya) has voiced support for the proposed National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), which aims to raise Ksh5 trillion to address long-standing infrastructure gaps.
In a statement issued earlier this week, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli said the fund represents a necessary step toward unlocking economic growth, creating jobs, and restoring dignity to public development planning.
He noted that Kenya has for decades postponed critical structural reforms, resulting in persistent infrastructure deficits that continue to slow economic progress.
“In 2027, Kenyans must reject leaders who believe starting with themselves is the benchmark of good governance,” he said.
The exchange has intensified political debate around the government’s development agenda and its push to position Kenya as a modern, competitive economy through large-scale infrastructure investment.
Amid the debate, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU–Kenya) has voiced support for the proposed National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), which aims to raise Ksh5 trillion to address long-standing infrastructure gaps.
In a statement issued earlier this week, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli said the fund represents a necessary step toward unlocking economic growth, creating jobs, and restoring dignity to public development planning.
He noted that Kenya has for decades postponed critical structural reforms, resulting in persistent infrastructure deficits that continue to slow economic progress.
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