National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei has defended President William Ruto’s development agenda, pointing to road construction, affordable housing, healthcare reforms and agricultural support as key areas of government investment. Her remarks also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in infrastructure development, while defending flagship programmes against criticism from political opponents.
Highlights
- Shollei says changes to infrastructure financing have helped revive road construction projects.
- Major road corridors and bypasses are being highlighted as priorities for regional trade and urban decongestion.
- The Deputy Speaker has defended affordable housing and healthcare reforms on constitutional grounds.
- Agricultural subsidies and market interventions were cited as measures intended to support farmers.
- Shollei argues that infrastructure and public programmes should be assessed by their benefits to citizens.
Main Story
Shollei Highlights Government Infrastructure Push
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei has outlined the Ruto administration’s infrastructure priorities, arguing that investment in roads and transport networks is central to economic growth and regional connectivity.
According to Shollei, road construction had faced serious financing challenges when the current administration took office. She said changes to infrastructure funding had helped restart projects intended to improve transport links across the country.
Among the key developments she highlighted is the Mau Summit road corridor, which connects major parts of Kenya to the western border region and supports trade with neighbouring East African countries.
She also pointed to bypasses, interchanges and dual carriageways around Eldoret, saying such projects could reduce congestion in busy urban areas and make it easier for commercial vehicles to move goods.
Regional Roads and Connectivity in Focus
Shollei emphasised the importance of transport infrastructure beyond individual counties, noting that roads and airport developments can serve wider regional economies.
She cited routes connecting areas such as Cheplaskei, Kapseret and Plateau as part of efforts to redirect heavy traffic away from Eldoret’s town centre.
The Deputy Speaker also highlighted the proposed expansion of Eldoret International Airport and improved road links serving communities in Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma and Turkana.
Such projects could support businesses, improve passenger movement and strengthen connections between agricultural production areas and markets.
However, the scale of their impact will depend on project completion, accessibility, maintenance and the extent to which local communities benefit from improved transport.
Shollei Defends Ruto’s Leadership Approach
In her remarks, Shollei described President Ruto as a hands-on leader who closely follows government projects and policy decisions.
She said presidential involvement extends from monitoring road developments in counties such as West Pokot to guiding major legislative initiatives in Parliament.
She also pointed to government responses to agricultural challenges, including fertiliser subsidies and interventions intended to cushion farmers against difficult market conditions.
As an example, she cited milk prices rising from KSh50 to KSh65 per litre. The figures and the circumstances surrounding the reported change would require independent verification to establish the period and locations involved.
Her argument was that close monitoring of economic conditions can help the government respond to challenges affecting farmers and other households.
Affordable Housing and Constitutional Rights
Affordable housing featured prominently in Shollei’s defence of the government’s development agenda.
She argued that housing, healthcare and education are fundamental rights under Article 43 of Kenya’s Constitution and maintained that government programmes are intended to help implement those protections.
She cited the Affordable Housing Act, legislation establishing the Social Health Authority and changes to education funding as part of the administration’s efforts to expand access to essential services.
Shollei also criticised calls to dismantle public programmes, arguing that political disagreements should not undermine initiatives intended to address citizens’ needs.
Article 43 of the Constitution recognises economic and social rights, including the right to accessible and adequate housing, reasonable standards of sanitation, the highest attainable standard of health and education. However, the existence of these constitutional rights does not automatically settle every legal dispute over the design, funding or implementation of a particular government programme.
Oil Refinery Plans and the Wider Economic Vision
Shollei also pointed to long-term proposals involving Turkana crude oil and improved regional road networks.
She argued that developing domestic oil-processing capacity, alongside better transport links through Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot, could support economic activity and potentially reduce fuel costs.
Such outcomes would depend on investment, commercial viability, infrastructure requirements and the cost of producing and distributing refined fuel. A reduction in fuel prices would therefore depend on several factors beyond the construction of roads or a refinery alone.
Markets, Healthcare and Public Benefits
The Deputy Speaker further defended national government projects against criticism from some regional political leaders, arguing that the benefits should be judged by their impact on residents and businesses.
She highlighted modern markets as important infrastructure for traders handling produce and fish across county boundaries, including goods originating in Tanzania and different parts of Kenya.
She also cited the Social Health Authority and affordable housing initiatives as examples of programmes intended to improve access to essential services and homeownership opportunities.
Shollei referred to reports of housing units attracting hundreds of buyers during project launches and described this as evidence of public interest. The number of units sold, the terms of purchase and the wider affordability of the homes would need to be assessed independently to determine the extent of demand.
Ultimately, her remarks placed infrastructure, social protection and economic opportunity at the centre of the administration’s development narrative.
Beyond political promises, the true measure of development lies in completed projects, accessible public services and lasting economic opportunities for ordinary Kenyans.
