{
  "id": 15993563,
  "title": "Richard Onyonka: Ruto does everything the wrong way",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/richard-onyonka-ruto-does-everything-the-wrong-way",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T03:32:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/richard-onyonka-ruto-does-everything-the-wrong-way"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has criticized President William Ruto's administration for its wasteful spending on government projects, questioning the cost of various initiatives. Onyonka argued that while the opposition supports development, they are concerned with the manner in which projects are implemented, as they see excessive costs and alleged inefficiencies denying Kenyans value for money. He stated that every project undertaken by President Ruto is done \"the wrong way.\"\n\nDuring a televised debate on October 21, 2026, Onyonka specifically questioned the expenditure on affordable housing, alleging that the government had spent billions of shillings on the project. He raised concerns about the cost of construction materials and called for closer scrutiny of such expenditures. Additionally, Onyonka highlighted a stadium project whose budget had ballooned from an initial Ksh16 billion to Ksh53 billion, arguing that such spending requires meticulous review.\n\nContrasting the expenditure with the need for improved healthcare, Onyonka expressed disappointment that Kenyans would benefit more from investments in cancer treatment facilities equipped with necessary medicines and experienced oncologists. He defended his criticism, emphasizing his role as a senator as one of oversight. Onyonka also raised alarms over Kenya's rising public debt, claiming it has increased from approximately Ksh8 trillion when former President Uhuru Kenyatta left office to nearly Ksh14 trillion under the current administration.\n\nThe senator further clarified his stance on development projects, stating that he is not opposed to them in regions like Luo Nyanza, but insists that government spending must comply with the law and provide value for money. \"If he’s going to come out as a president using his executive powers to do some reparations in certain areas of this country, please do it within the law, make sure it is value for money,\" he asserted.\n\nOnyonka expressed frustration over the recurring scandals surrounding government projects, calling for enhanced accountability in the use of public resources. He lamented the recurring scandals that follow each and every project undertaken by the government. The senator's remarks add to the ongoing political discourse over government expenditure, public debt, and the implementation of major development projects under President Ruto's administration.",
  "summary": "Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has accused President William Ruto’s administration of overspending on government projects, questioning the cost of affordable housing, stadium construction and the country’s rising public debt. Onyonka said the opposition was not opposed to development but was concerned about how government projects were being implemented, arguing that excessive costs and alleged…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}