By KPC Reporter
Government officials and political leaders from the Lower Eastern region have urged residents of Ukambani to support President William Ruto’s bid for a second term.
The cited ongoing development projects as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region.
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The leaders spoke during a Jamii Imara Mashinani (JIM) initiative meeting held in Thokoa, Migwani, in Mwingi West Constituency, Kitui County.
They argued that the Ruto administration had undertaken more development projects in the region than previous governments and was helping transform an area that has historically lagged behind in infrastructure and economic growth.
The meeting was attended by Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna Ngasya, popularly known as CNN, and other local leaders.
The forum sought to engage residents on key government programmes aimed at accelerating economic growth and improving service delivery across the country.
Among the flagship projects highlighted was the ongoing construction of the 23-kilometre Kibwezi-Kitui-Migwani-Mbondoni road, which leaders said would open up the region to new trade opportunities and improve connectivity with other parts of the country.
Speaking at the meeting, PS Mueke said the road would boost economic activity by providing residents with easier access to markets.
“The road is critical for trade and will give residents an opportunity to do business more freely with the rest of Kenya,” he said.
Area MP Charles Nguna said the road project had been promised by successive administrations and its implementation under President Ruto represented the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration for residents.
“This road has been a campaign promise for many years. Seeing it take shape is a dream come true for our people,” he said.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Chairperson Winnie Ngumi said the road project was being implemented following a presidential directive and is expected to be completed by December before being commissioned in January.
She said the road was currently 50 per cent complete, adding that compensation for affected landowners was ongoing in collaboration with the National Land Commission.
According to the leaders, infrastructure development being witnessed in Kitui reflects similar projects being rolled out in other parts of the country as part of the government’s economic transformation agenda.
The Jamii Imara Mashinani initiative brings together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, board chairpersons, directors and chief executive officers of government institutions to assess the implementation of development projects and engage wananchi on government programmes.
PS Muthoni said the initiative would continue monitoring projects across the country to ensure effective delivery while communicating the government’s development agenda to citizens.
“We will continue assessing government projects across the country to gauge delivery and ensure wananchi understand the transformation agenda being implemented by the government,” she said.
During a public baraza, Muthoni also dismissed claims that President Ruto had lost support in parts of the Mt Kenya region.
She said there was a “silent majority” of Kenyans who continued to support the President and would back his re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.
The leaders called on residents of Ukambani to support the government’s development agenda and rally behind President Ruto’s second-term bid, arguing that continued implementation of infrastructure and economic projects would accelerate growth in the region.
