Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused Chinese officials of withholding funding for the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, contradicting Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir’s claim of bitumen shortages. Gachagua made the allegation during a church service in Kikuyu Constituency on November 1, 2026. He argued that political uncertainty ahead of the 2027 elections had caused Chinese financiers to delay payments. Chirchir had previously cited bitumen shortages as the main reason for the project’s delays. Gachagua disputed this, stating that the issue was not material scarcity but financial withholding. The dispute highlights tensions between government officials and international partners over infrastructure funding. The Rironi-Mau Summit road is a key project aimed at improving regional connectivity. Gachagua’s claims suggest deeper political and financial complexities affecting the project’s timeline. The situation underscores challenges in securing consistent funding for large-scale infrastructure initiatives.