Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has defended delays in the Narok International Airport project, dismissing critics as “naysayers” and citing heavy rains as a key setback.
He insists construction progress is ongoing, with the runway partly complete, amid growing scrutiny over missed timelines and public expectations surrounding the high-profile infrastructure project in Narok County.
The Senator responded on Thursday after a wave of online backlash emerged following the resurfacing of a video clip from May last year, in which the president had promised that the airport would be ready for launch by March 2026.
The pledge has since come under scrutiny after the deadline passed without the project being completed, prompting critics to question the government’s delivery on infrastructure commitments.
However, Ole Kina dismissed the criticism, describing those raising concerns as misinformed.
“Naysayers crying ‘President lied on Narok Int’l Airport’? Let ’em whine,” he said in a post on his X account.
The senator insisted that residents in Narok were aware of the actual progress being made on the ground, despite the delays.
“We Narok residents know the facts,the runway is 60 percent complete,” he said.
Ole Kina attributed the delay largely to adverse weather conditions, which he said had disrupted construction timelines during a critical period.
“Heavy February and March rains made construction impossible,” he added.
His remarks come amid growing public scrutiny over high-profile infrastructure projects and the timelines attached to them, particularly when initial projections are not met.
The Narok International Airport has been widely publicised as a key development project expected to boost tourism, trade and connectivity in the region, which is home to major attractions including the Maasai Mara.
Expectations had been high following the president’s earlier commitment, with many residents anticipating that the facility would be operational by early 2026.
However, the senator’s response suggests that local leaders are seeking to manage public expectations by highlighting practical challenges affecting implementation.
Ole Kina’s defence also reflects a broader pattern in which political leaders respond to criticism over delayed projects by pointing to external factors such as weather, procurement challenges or logistical constraints.
In this case, the senator emphasised that the delay should not be interpreted as a failure to deliver, but rather as a temporary setback caused by circumstances beyond immediate control.
By framing critics as “naysayers,” Ole Kina signalled a dismissive stance towards the online backlash, while reinforcing his support for the government’s handling of the project.
His intervention places him at the centre of the debate surrounding the Narok airport, positioning him as a key voice defending the project’s progress and the administration’s credibility.
The issue has also reignited discussion about the gap between political promises and project implementation timelines, particularly for large-scale infrastructure developments.
While Ole Kina maintains that work is ongoing and that progress has been made, questions remain about when the airport will be completed and operational.
For now, the senator’s remarks reaffirm the tension between public expectations and the realities of project execution, especially in sectors that are heavily influenced by environmental and logistical factors.
As scrutiny continues, the Narok International Airport project is likely to remain a focal point in discussions about accountability, development and the delivery of government pledges.