Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused Chinese officials of withholding funding for the Rironi-Mau Summit highway project, contradicting Transport 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 stated that Chinese financiers had refused to release funds due to political uncertainty. Chirchir had previously cited material shortages as the cause of delays. Gachagua’s remarks highlight tensions between political leadership and international funding partners. The dispute underscores challenges in infrastructure development amid geopolitical considerations. The Rironi-Mau Summit highway remains unfinished, with construction halted for months. Gachagua’s claims suggest a broader issue of funding control and political influence in development projects. The situation reflects ongoing debates over foreign investment and national priorities in Kenya.