NAIROBI, Kenya — A fresh diplomatic and economic dispute has emerged between Kenya and Tanzania following remarks by President William Ruto on the scale of Kenya’s road infrastructure.
Speaking during a church service in Nairobi, President Ruto defended Kenya’s economic standing, arguing that the country’s development trajectory places it ahead of its regional peers. He maintained that comparisons should be drawn with other middle-income economies rather than neighbouring states.
“Kenya is a middle-income country; our neighbours are the least developed countries. There is a big difference. If you want to compare Kenya fairly with others, compare Kenya with other middle-income countries,” he said.
The President further highlighted Kenya’s road network, asserting that it surpasses that of other member states in the East African Community.
“We have 20,000 kilometres of tarmac to maintain and we have 6,000 kilometres of tarmac under construction. The 20,000 kilometres to maintain is actually the same for the other six or seven East African countries. If you add the number of kilometres in Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, it is not 20,000…our 20,000 kilometres is more than all the tarmac in all the other seven countries in the EAC- that is what we are maintaining,” he said.
“The 6,000km we are constructing now in Kenya is equivalent to all the tarmacs in the neighbouring country, which has been built for 60 years.”
However, Tanzania swiftly rejected the claims, with Works Minister Abdallah Ulega dismissing them as inaccurate and misleading.
“Let it be known that Tanzania is also a middle-income economy. And in East Africa, we are only two, us and Kenya. Tanzania has a total of 16,000 kilometres of tarmac, both in the urban and rural areas. Hawa majirani wako na 6,100km. Ukichukua za Tanzania 16,000 plus the Kenyan 6,100, utapata about 22,000 plus.”
“Kwa hivo, hizo takwimu za kutudogosha za kwamba sisi wote katika EAC hatuwezi kufikia 20,000 is not true.”
The exchange underscores growing sensitivity around infrastructure data and economic positioning within East Africa, where governments increasingly use development indicators to attract investment and assert regional leadership.
According to the World Bank, Kenya remains the largest economy in the region, with an estimated GDP of about $120 billion in 2024, compared to Tanzania’s approximately $78.8 billion.
Kenya’s growth has been driven largely by financial services, technology, and a relatively advanced private sector ecosystem. Tanzania, however, has recorded strong gains in agriculture, energy, and large-scale infrastructure projects, including rail and port development.
Road infrastructure has become a key benchmark for development in East Africa, influencing trade efficiency, regional integration, and investor confidence.
Kenya’s ongoing projects, including highway expansions and regional corridor upgrades—form part of a broader strategy to position Nairobi as a logistics and financial hub.
Also Read: KeNHA invites Chinese bids for major Nairobi road expansion
Meanwhile, Tanzania has invested heavily in transport corridors, including the Standard Gauge Railway and port upgrades aimed at boosting regional trade.
Analysts note that while both countries have made significant strides, discrepancies often arise from differing methodologies, such as whether rural roads, urban networks, or only national highways are included in official figures.
The disagreement highlights the competitive dynamic within the East African Community, where member states are balancing cooperation with economic rivalry.
As infrastructure becomes central to trade under frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), accurate and transparent data will play an increasingly critical role in shaping policy, partnerships, and regional influence.
