Eldoret Human Rights Activist Kipkorir Ngetich Defends President’s Nairobi Development Agenda

An Eldoret-based human rights activist, Kipkorir Ngetich, has come out strongly in support of President William Ruto regarding the ongoing cooperation between the national government and Nairobi County aimed at upgrading and modernizing Nairobi.

Addressing members of the press in Eldoret, Ngetich criticized opposition leaders whom he accused of politicizing what he described as a well-structured and legally grounded development initiative. He specifically mentioned Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua and Edwin Sifuna, claiming they were misleading Kenyans by alleging that the President had violated the Constitution.

According to Ngetich, the partnership between the national government and the county administration is consistent with the spirit and letter of the Constitution of Kenya, which established two levels of government to enhance cooperation and improve service delivery.

“The 2010 Constitution did not create two hostile centers of power. It created two levels of government designed to complement each other for the benefit of citizens,” Ngetich said. “The President’s involvement in Nairobi’s transformation is not arbitrary. It is based on research, tested models from other global cities, and undertaken within the framework of the law.”

He further noted that the President operates under the guidance of experienced legal professionals through the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that all projects meet constitutional and statutory requirements.

Ngetich defended key initiatives being rolled out in the capital, including expansion of major roads to ease traffic congestion, the development of affordable housing units, improvement of sanitation systems, and strengthening of public health infrastructure. He argued that these projects are long overdue and necessary for Nairobi to maintain its status as Kenya’s political, economic and diplomatic hub.

“As the capital city, Nairobi represents Kenya both domestically and internationally. Investors, diplomats and visitors judge the country by the state of its capital. We cannot afford to lag behind while other cities in the region and across the world continue to modernize,” he stated.

The activist expressed concern over what he termed as the “weaponization” of the Judiciary of Kenya in politically sensitive matters, cautioning that while courts are the rightful forum for resolving constitutional disputes, they should not be used to stall transformative projects that serve the broader public interest.

“Legal questions should indeed be settled in court, but we must guard against turning the judiciary into a battleground for political rivalry,” he added.

Ngetich alleged that some opposition figures fear that the successful implementation of large-scale development projects could bolster the President’s political standing in the future. However, he emphasized that development should not be viewed through a partisan lens.

“It would be unfortunate if progress is opposed simply because of who will be credited. The real beneficiaries of these projects are Nairobi residents and Kenyans at large,” he said.

He also challenged political leaders to rise above what he described as divisive politics rooted in hatred, vendetta and tribalism. According to him, Kenya’s history has witnessed leaders exploiting public suffering for political survival, and citizens must remain vigilant against such tactics.

“Nairobi must not remain underdeveloped for the sake of campaign narratives. A clean, organized and modern city benefits everyone regardless of political affiliation,” Ngetich said.

He urged Nairobi residents to embrace ongoing reforms and infrastructure upgrades for the sake of present and future generations. He stressed that transformative urban development requires patience, unity and sustained collaboration between institutions.

“There is no head of state anywhere in the world who would take pride in presiding over a deteriorating capital city. When the President speaks about expanding roads, providing affordable housing and improving health services, those are fundamental development priorities,” he said.

Ngetich concluded by calling on leaders across the political divide to put national interest above partisan considerations, arguing that cooperation between the two levels of government is essential for Kenya’s progress.

“Our country must move forward. Development should unite us, not divide us,” he stated.