President William Ruto has announced plans to begin the construction of a dual carriageway from Nairobi to Nakuru in 2025.

Speaking during a church service at AIC Kipkorgot in Uasin Gishu County on Sunday, December 22, Ruto said after the first phase of the project, the dual carriageway will be extended to reach Malaba. 

He disclosed that plans to dual the road were underway but a Public Private Partnership (PPP) the government had with a French company did not go through.

“We had a PPP program between us and a French company but it didn’t work out. We have other alternatives that we are working on as a government; the commitment that I want to give you is that next year we will begin the construction of a dual carriageway from Nairobi to Nakuru and then later we will take it all the way to Malaba.

“We already have a program and we are already in discussion with different companies on how that road is going to be done so that we can ease the congestion and provide more transport capabilities,” Ruto said while addressing the congregation. 

The Nairobi-Nakuru Highway has been experiencing significant traffic congestion over the past two days between Kimende and Flyover, as well as along the Limuru-Mai Mahiu stretch. 

The situation led to travelers spending extended hours on the road, with some even spending the night in their vehicles. 

In response to the persistent traffic jams, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced three alternative routes to help alleviate the congestion. 

In photos and videos obtained by Uzalendo News, traffic was at a standstill as vehicles overlapped, blocking the oncoming lane and making it inaccessible.

Some motorists and travellers were seen stepping out of their vehicles, leaving them stranded on the road.

The Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway is a critical part of Kenya’s Northern Corridor, facilitating transportation from Mombasa and Nairobi to western counties and neighboring landlocked countries.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has delivered a stark ultimatum to President William Ruto regarding the urgent need for the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Speaking at a wedding in Machakos, Kalonzo declared that if the President fails to appoint new commissioners by March next year, he will instigate nationwide protests that “will not leave anyone standing.”

“By the end of March, if there is no IEBC, I will go for demonstrations,” Kalonzo warned, underlining the criticality of the situation as the commission has been without commissioners for nearly two years.

The political landscape has been tense, with Ruto recently attributing part of the delay to a litigation case filed by the opposition leader himself.

The discontent did not stop there; Augustus Kyalo Muli, leader of the National Liberal Party (Kenya), accused Kalonzo and the Wiper Party of stalling the appointment process after they opposed Muli’s nomination to the commission selection panel.

Muli claimed victory in an internal coalition election, stating he won with 16 votes to Koki Muli’s 7, emphasizing the legitimacy of the process.

Kalonzo, however, remains resolute, insisting that his team has complied with the court’s timelines and that the delays are state-sponsored. “We adhered to the strict timelines of the Court and submitted the name Koki Muli,” he asserted, reinforcing his position.

In a further critique of the current administration, Kalonzo condemned Ruto’s recent decision to include allies of former president Uhuru Kenyatta in his Cabinet, characterizing it as “blood-based” rather than “broad-based.”

He lamented: “It’s not broad-based but bread-based and even blood-based, because young people were killed, and their blood spilled.”

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has unleashed a scathing attack on the current administration, claiming that the resurgence of illicit alcohol in Central Kenya is a calculated plan to undermine the region’s youth and sabotage voter turnout.

Speaking at an event in Naivasha on Sunday, Gachagua expressed his deep concern over the return of harmful brews that he claims were eradicated during his tenure in office.

“Since I was removed from office, all the bad alcohol has been reintroduced to the mountain to destroy our people and reduce voter numbers,” Gachagua decried. He accused local chiefs of being complicit, asserting they have received orders to ignore the brewing crisis. “The youth are being targeted,” he added, painting a bleak picture of the social fabric in the region.

Gachagua, who once led campaigns against illicit alcohol, noted that the rise of these brews has worsened both the economic and social climates of Central Kenya. He holds the current government accountable for neglecting the fight against this menace, stating they are failing the constituents who initially voted them into office.

Turning his ire towards President William Ruto, Gachagua condemned the decision to postpone a planned trip to Central Kenya in January, suggesting that the President is deliberately avoiding the region to escape mounting discontent. “He says he will come to the mountain next year, thinking people’s anger will subside. But is the anger going down or rising?” he questioned sharply.

He urged the President to face local residents and address their grievances directly: “If you are afraid of their anger, you will never come.”

Gachagua’s criticisms extend beyond the issue of illicit alcohol. He lamented the government’s handling of economic challenges, zeroing in on controversial policies such as the housing levy and NHIF reforms. “I was kicked out of government because I spoke the truth,” he declared. “This government is founded on lies, and I couldn’t fit in.”

Since his ousting last November, Gachagua has emerged as a vocal critic of the administration, accusing it of abandoning its fundamental promises to the Kenyan people.

In a powerful call for unity following the turbulent events of this year, Kimani Ichung’wah, the Majority Leader in the National Assembly, has proposed special prayers to sanctify Parliament and cleanse it of negativity.

Addressing congregants in Muhoroni, Ichung’wah stressed the urgent need for spiritual rejuvenation after a shocking invasion that led to violence in June.

“I will speak to Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to discuss how we can collaborate with religious leaders to sanctify the house,” Ichung’wah declared, reflecting on the dire need to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“We pray that such incidents may never happen again in the history of our country,” he added solemnly.

His comments come amidst rising concerns over national healing and unity, with several church leaders reaching out for collaborative prayers.

However, Ichung’wah also criticized the political involvement of some church leaders during the Gen Z-led anti-tax bill protests earlier this year, lamenting their departure from spiritual guidance.

“Many of our church leaders abandoned their duty to guide us in a godly manner,” he stated, urging a return to spiritual responsibilities. He further implored parents to take a more active role in shaping their children’s behavior, reflecting on the chaos exhibited by youth during the protests.

“Parents must set good examples for our children. The words used against leaders and parents were simply unimaginable for those of us who grew up in earlier generations,” Ichung’wah concluded, calling for collective action to restore moral integrity in society.

The abduction of 25-year-old Billy Mwangi in Embu on Tuesday has sent ripples of concern across Kenya, shining a spotlight on heightened tensions between state authorities and young social media users.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing Mwangi being forcibly taken by four armed, hooded men outside a barbershop at approximately 3:30 pm.

His disappearance follows shortly after he made waves online by sharing viral, AI-generated images depicting President William Ruto in a coffin.

Mwangi’s family has lodged a report with the Embu Police Station. This disturbing incident echoes the earlier abduction of Peter Muteti, whose case was reported at Kabete Police Station.

Both individuals have been linked to controversial posts that have reportedly drawn ire from government officials.

The growing crackdown on dissenting voices on social media has become increasingly pronounced in recent weeks.

Notably, a Twitter user known as @LANDLORD ignited controversy by posting an image of a state funeral procession reminiscent of that of a president.

Mokaya, who faced charges for allegedly publishing false information, even called for President Ruto to appear in court as a complainant—a provocative call that has sparked intense public discourse.

The rise in such incidents reflects a troubling trend in Kenya, where young social media users are increasingly in danger of state retribution.

The Gen Z-led protests against the much-debated Finance Bill 2024 saw numerous youths vanish after posting messages deemed inflammatory.

Critics of the government assert that authorities are treading a precarious line between maintaining national security and infringing on civil liberties. “This is not about justice,” a human rights activist commented. “It’s about silencing dissent.”

Others however, say Gen Z have gone too far, crossing the line between fair comment and outright computer misuse.