Businessman Narendra Raval, a close associate of President William Ruto, has finally broken his silence over claims that he is the main supplier of materials used in the affordable housing projects being constructed across the country.
The accusations, which have sparked public interest and political debates, were largely pushed by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and current Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi. According to them, Raval’s companies were doing business with the government, and they alleged that his ties with the president had given him an unfair advantage.
In a report published by the Saturday edition of the Standard newspaper, Raval came out strongly to deny the allegations. He dismissed the claims by Gachagua and Muturi, saying that they were not only false but also misleading to the public.
Raval insisted that his company has always maintained a policy of not engaging in direct business with the government. He made it clear that he does not fill government tenders and has no interest in doing so, regardless of the political climate or who is in power.
Raval explained that the only time his company was involved with a state-linked project was during the fertilizer program. However, he said that even in that case, it was not a matter of bidding for a tender. Instead, the government approached his firm and asked it to blend fertilizer, and the company agreed.
He added that they only charged the government for the blending service, and it was not a business deal aimed at making profits or pushing private interests.
These statements by Raval put into question the motives behind the accusations made by Gachagua and Muturi. Many are now asking whether the two leaders were genuinely exposing wrongdoing or simply playing politics.
It is also worth noting that Gachagua has recently fallen out with President Ruto, and his comments may be seen in that context. The fact that Muturi, a Ruto appointee, echoed Gachagua’s claims also adds another layer of confusion, as it raises questions about possible divisions within the ruling administration.
Raval’s public denial is likely aimed at protecting his reputation, especially since being linked to shady deals or favoritism in government contracts can damage business credibility.
His insistence on not working with the government directly also paints a picture of a businessman keen on staying neutral in political matters, despite his closeness to the president.
As the affordable housing program continues and questions around its procurement process grow louder, Raval’s name may continue to feature in political debates.
However, unless hard evidence is brought forward, his statement stands as a firm rejection of the accusations.
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