The Kenyan government has been making numerous announcements on various projects, including affordable housing, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs. In 2023, 20% of affordable housing units were committed to the disciplined forces, police, prisons, NYS, and other security agencies. Additionally, Harambee Stars players and technical staff were promised government support covering half the cost of two-bedroom affordable homes in August 2025.
The announcements have been made through various channels, including presidential addresses, rallies, and media briefings. For instance, on December 12, 2025, President Ruto announced a new expressway from Thika to Museum Hill, modelled on the existing Nairobi Expressway, saying it would be built in 2026. However, the completion date for the project has been revised several times, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki stating in October that the government was undertaking the design and feasibility study for the 60-kilometre elevated expressway.
The Narok International Airport project is another example of a project with shifting completion dates. Construction of the airport was launched on May 6, 2025, with completion expected in 15 months. However, in August 2026, President Ruto said the airport would be completed in two months. Similarly, the Bomas International Convention Centre has had several completion deadlines, with the Senate reporting in September 2026 that the expected completion date had moved to September.
The Talanta Sports City project, which began in March 2024, has also experienced delays. Initially, the President said it would be ready by December 2025, but the completion deadline has shifted several times, with the latest estimate being July 2026. Despite the delays, the government has continued to make announcements on new projects, including a Ksh.2 billion compensation programme for verified victims of human rights violations linked to protests between 2017 and 2025.
The numerous announcements have raised concerns about accountability and the ability to track progress. With so many projects being announced, it has become challenging to determine which projects are being implemented and which deadlines are being met. Furthermore, the announcements are often made in a way that blurs the line between government business and personal benevolence.
The announcements have also raised concerns about the way they are being made. Many of the announcements are being made from the sunroof of a presidential vehicle, at rallies, or in the middle of political theatre, rather than through formal government channels. This has led to concerns that public investment is being presented as personal benevolence, rather than as part of a broader policy agenda.
To address these concerns, it is essential to change the way announcements are made and tracked. Rather than celebrating the announcement itself, the focus should be on the implementation, scrutiny, and delivery of the projects. This will require a more transparent and accountable approach to government announcements, including clear timelines, budgets, and indicators of progress.
Key points
- The Kenyan government's numerous announcements on various projects have raised concerns about accountability and the ability to track progress.
- The announcements are often made in a way that blurs the line between government business and personal benevolence.
- There is a need for a more transparent and accountable approach to government announcements, including clear timelines, budgets, and indicators of progress.
