Narok airport drama: Ledama fires back as Ruto's March deadline missed

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has come out guns blazing to defend President William Ruto after a wave of online criticism over delayed plans to open the much-publicised Narok International Airport.

The backlash erupted after netizens resurfaced a video clip from May last year, in which President Ruto, during a tour of Narok, confidently promised residents that the airport would be ready for launch by March this year. The pledge, now under scrutiny, has sparked questions over the status of the project, with critics accusing the government of failing to deliver on its timeline.

But Senator Ledama is having none of it.

In a response on his X account, the outspoken lawmaker dismissed critics as ill-informed “naysayers,” insisting that significant progress has been made on the ground.

“Naysayers crying ‘President lied on Narok Int’l Airport’? Let ’em whine,” he posted. “We Narok residents know the facts: the runway is 60 per cent complete. Heavy February and March rains made construction impossible.”

Ledama further sought to draw a line between national and county responsibilities, clarifying that while the national government is overseeing runway construction, the terminal building falls under the jurisdiction of the Narok County Government.

“Terminal building? Narok County’s responsibility, not Ruto’s,” he added, taking a swipe at online critics whom he accused of commenting from a place of ignorance. “None of you social media critics have even visited the site. Facts are stubborn.”

The senator’s remarks have reignited debate over accountability in major infrastructure projects, particularly those tied to political pledges. While some have backed his explanation, others argue that the President’s original timeline created expectations that have not been met.

During his visit to Narok last year, President Ruto had struck an optimistic tone, announcing that the government had already paid a contractor Sh700 million to fast-track the runway construction. He assured residents that the airport—seen as a key gateway to boost tourism to the iconic Maasai Mara National Reserve—would be ready within months.

“Today I have come here with the contractor, and we have paid him Sh700 million to construct this runway. I have instructed him that by March next year, we will come back to open this airport once it is complete,” the President said at the time.

The project, once completed, is expected to unlock Narok’s vast tourism potential, particularly by improving access to the Maasai Mara, one of Kenya’s most visited wildlife destinations. However, the delay has highlighted the recurring tension between political promises and the realities of infrastructure development—where weather, logistics, and intergovernmental coordination often slow down progress.

Interestingly, Senator Ledama himself had earlier expressed optimism about the project, sharing updates shortly after construction began. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” he posted then. “Excited to see daily progress at Narok International Airport. We’re on our way.”