President William Ruto’s tour of development projects in Dagoretti South and Dagoretti North on Tuesday was marred by chaos and the use of teargas after a group of youths briefly blocked his convoy.
The President had been inspecting various government and county projects, including the newly upgraded Mutuini Hospital, a new workshop block at PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute, the ongoing construction of Riruta Modern Market, and a tuition block at Kawangware Primary School, when the disruptions took place.
At a roadside rally during the tour, President Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) pre-election cooperation. Despite a faction within ODM, known as Linda Mwananchi, opposing this alliance, Ruto defended the cooperation. He also criticized the United Opposition, accusing it of fueling ethnic divisions for political gain.
The convoy’s progress was delayed when some youths at the rally partially blocked the road, forcing security personnel to clear the crowd. Several times, the motorcade stalled, requiring the President to urge it forward.
During his speech, Ruto highlighted the planned construction of a new international airport, emphasizing that the project marked the beginning of Kenya’s "Singapore dream."
Local ODM leaders, including MPs Beatrice Elachi, John Kiarie, TJ Kajwang, and Felix Odiwuor, publicly supported the cooperation with the national government, stressing the importance of unity and continued partnership in delivering essential services.
President Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also defended the broader national–county collaboration, pointing out that it would enhance essential services such as waste management, water supply, and infrastructure in the capital.
