Gachagua questions Kenya–France deals, alleges misuse of funds during Africa Forward Summit, again it’s being said
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised Kenya’s engagement with France during the Africa Forward Summit.
Former DP Rigathi Gachagua speaks during an interview with Ramogi TV on March 25, 2026. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua came out swinging about Kenya’s diplomatic posture at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, sort of asking why some Kenya–France agreements are being treated like a done deal while also alleging funds where not used the proper way, connected to a road project that was later cancelled
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Gachagua asked United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron to push concerns on human rights and regional security directly to President William Ruto, and he even said it with a kind of, you know, urgency
“We thank the UN Secretary-General for coming to Nairobi so that we address him from here on the danger that the Horn of Africa faces courtesy of his host Mr. William Ruto,” Gachagua said
He then accused President Ruto of using the big summit to get political approval, adding that the meetings are not really helping ordinary citizens in a direct fashion
On top of that, Gachagua alleged rising political intolerance and warned that instability could be brewing ahead of the 2027 General Election
“Mr Guterres, be informed that President William Ruto is the greatest threat to Kenyan democracy and human rights violations,” he claimed
He also alleged Kenya has become “a global hub for abductions and human trafficking,” pointing to cases involving Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, Turkish asylum seekers, and Tanzanian journalist Maria Sarungi, whom he said was abducted in Nairobi in 2025
Gachagua further blamed the government for involvement in regional conflicts, including the ongoing crisis in Sudan, and urged accountability at the United Nations Security Council
When the focus shifted to Kenya–France relations, the former Deputy President questioned compensation paid to French firms after the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit road project was cancelled, saying public money may have been used in an irregular manner
He claimed the French firms were given a KSh159.27 billion contract in 2020 under the previous administration, but then the project was cancelled before any implementation took place
According to him, amounts in the range of KSh7.3 billion and KSh7.5 billion were taken from the Fuel Levy Fund as compensation, before the road work was later reassigned to a Chinese contractor at a higher cost
“Mr Emmanuel Macron, you are an accomplice,” Gachagua alleged, and he left it there
His comments came not long after President William Ruto and President Macron presided over the signing of 11 memoranda of understanding worth about KSh150 billion during the summit, touching infrastructure and energy investments
One of the deals mentioned was a KSh104 billion agreement meant to upgrade and expand the Port of Mombasa, with French shipping giant CMA CGM committing 700 million euros to refurbish two terminals
“CMA CGM has agreed to renovate two terminals at the Mombasa Port at a total investment of 700 million euros,” Macron said
France also pledged support for expanding the Kipeto Wind Power Project by another 100 megawatts, reportedly valued around KSh32.5 billion, bringing the overall investment package to roughly one billion euros
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