Kenya, May 11 -- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki strongly criticized Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku on Saturday during a meeting in Mbeere North, Embu County. This happened when Ruku asked Kindiki to finish some road projects that were delayed.

The argument attracted a lot of attention and raised questions about problems within the Kenya Kwanza government.

The disagreement began when CS Ruku, who was a local MP before becoming a cabinet minister, asked Kindiki to help get a local road paved because residents had been facing issues with it for a long time.

"There is a road that has been a problem for them. the elders want to know if that road will be paved this year," Ruku said, expressing the community's worries.

Kindiki, looking upset, reminded Ruku that he was now a cabinet minister, not an MP. He stressed that Ruku is part of the government and should be working to solve these issues.

"Now you are not an MP anymore; you are a minister. The things you told me, we will work on together. You cannot say 'the government'-you are the government," Kindiki said in a mix of English and Kiswahili.

The Deputy President, who leads cabinet meetings about project implementation, warned Ruku not to complain in public, saying that ministers should help people understand what the government is doing and find solutions, not create more problems.

"You cannot be a minister and come here to complain instead of helping citizens. It is not right," Kindiki pointed out, referring to Ruku's predecessor, Justin Muturi, who was removed for similar public complaints.

Despite his criticism, Kindiki recognized Ruku's potential, telling the local people that Ruku has a "bright future" in Kenyan politics.

He also assured residents that the government is dedicated to finishing important infrastructure projects, but he did not give a specific timeline for the road.

This incident occurs as there are wider concerns about President William Ruto's recent decision to centralize road funding, with Sh11.5 billion set aside for national road projects, which does not involve county governments.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.