Ruto embarks on whirlwind county tour, launches major projects

Perched atop armoured sports utility vehicle, President William Ruto has embarked on development tour of counties after two months hiatus.

In his characteristic style, the President is unleashing bags of goodies for different parts of the country.

Ruto who in recent weeks had been slowed down and was confined to Nairobi as angry Kenyans protested against his government's perceived sins of omission and commission, is now launching projects worth billions of shillings in counties.

The President has assured that the broad-based government will continue to take unprecedented steps to accelerate delivery of the national economic transformation agenda with integrity, efficiency, transparency and inclusivity.

He has so far launched projects valued at more than Sh5 billion ranging from last mile electricity connectivity, road construction, healthcare, schools  and markets.

“With the formation of broad-based government that brings together former political rivals into one selfless, patriotic team, we will unlock the potential of our country that has long been denied to us by factional and sectarian competition. Our potential as a nation and the attainment of that potential has often been undermined by divisions arising from political competition,” Ruto said.

This comes against the backdrop of the President’s move to implement austerity measures in Government, withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 and recently the courts declared Finance Act 2023 unconstitutional.

Ruto is using the development tours across the country to justify his foreign trips saying that majority of the projects are donor funded.

For instance, he said that he secured funding of about Sh27 billion in France, Saudi Arabia and Brussels to cater for various projects in the country, which will accelerate economic growth.

Similarly, he cited funding from Chinese government of about Sh40 billion last year, which will also facilitate mega projects like road construction.

“As the President, I will ensure that I unite all parts of Kenya and work together in Government. This is the moment in the history of our nation that we must close ranks, walk together and not look at what's in it for leaders or for private interests of leaders or parties, it is time to think of our nation and work together. Our progress, development and transformation is much more important than selfish interests of any individual,” said Ruto.

The President, accompanied by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries and other senior government officials were in Kisii Tuesday, where he commissioned projects ranging from last mile connectivity, road, healthcare, learning institutions, markets among others.

“In Kisii, we want to connect 30,000 more households to electricity at a cost of Sh2 billion, which is a right for all. Some Sh400 million will be used to connect 5,000 households in Kitutu Chache North. We also want to build 17 state of the art markets in the county,” he said.

He launched the affordable housing project in Nyaribari Masaba, saying that plans are underway to construct 10,000 units in the county which will create employment for at least 20,000 youths.

The President also broke ground for construction of Kisii Cancer Treatment Centre, valued at about Sh3 billion, that will have of a 76-bed capacity and will offer services such as cancer awareness, prevention, screening, early detection and diagnosis in addition to providing the latest treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

Ruto also announced that the government will spend Sh4.5 billion to build roads in the county to improve transport and spur economic growth.

In Nyamira, the President launched a Sh3.5 billion road construction project, commissioned outpatient, surgical and Mother and Child Units at Keroka Level IV Hospital⁠ as well as electrification project worth Sh650 million to connect 10,000 households.

“Every Kenyan — employed or unemployed — will access quality and affordable care under our new medical plan. We have equipped the facility to the tune of Sh90 million to ensure that the people of Nyamira get the finest health service,” he said.

He noted that the Government is upgrading facilities in 68 schools in Borabu, North Mugirango, West Mugirango and Kitutu Masaba constituencies in Nyamira to increase student enrollment and boost learning.

“Under the Sh1.4 billion Kuwait-funded Development of Schools Infrastructure in Nyamira project, we will build 183 new classrooms, dormitories and dining halls in 47 secondary and 21 primary schools. In North Mugirango, we laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Kiabonyoru High School Dormitory and for the construction of the Kenyerere DOK Primary and Junior School Tuition Block,” Ruto said.

Last week in Kirinyaga county, the President launched tarmacking of the 65km link roads.

He also opened the Kirinyaga Central Technical and Vocational College and the Jitume ICT Hub, launched the last mile electricity connectivity in Kang’aru that targets 5,795 households and broke ground for the Sagana Export Processing Zone Flagship Project and the Kirinyaga County Aggregation and Industrial Park among other projects.

In Murang’a, some of the mega projects the President launched include fresh produce markets to  unlock the county’s entrepreneurial potential, boost value addition and manufacturing, expand employment opportunities and power economic growth.

He also inspected the construction of Kambirwa Fresh Produce Market, launched last mile electricity connectivity at Marewa and addressed the residents of Marewa and Mukuyu Township.

In Kirungu village, Kiriaini town, he launched the last mile electricity connectivity that targets more than 15,000 households in Murang’a county and commissioned the 20km Kiriaini-Mugeka road in Mathioya constituency.

In Embu, the President said the Government is investing over Sh500 million to connect to electricity at least 5,000 new households.

He launched Cianthia village last mile electrification project in Mbeere North that will benefit more than 200 households, tarmacking of the 42-Kilometre Kanyuambora-Kageri, Muvakari-Kanyuambora, Gachoka-Gachuriri and Kangeta-Kiumbu-ini Roads and Sh280 million Kanyuambora Irrigation project, which will put more than 1,000 acres under irrigation, benefiting more than 1,250 farmers.

He also gave Sh100 million for a water project, which is part of the 10 other projects that the Government will implement in Embu county at a cost of Sh3.5 billion set aside for irrigation, water and livestock.

The President also promised to avail Sh100 million for construction of a maternity hospital and assured that another Sh200 will soon be granted, saying budget for the project was interfered with when the Finance Bill 2024 was withdrawn.

Other counties that the President has visited recently include Tana River, Mombasa, Taita Taveta and Kwale, all of which, benefited from mega projects.

Last week Ruto assented to the Supplementary Appropriations Bill after, which seeks to safeguard key critical expenditure, including at least Sh20 billion to support farmers and enhance production and productivity despite the financial constraints.

Among other issues, the new Act proposes a reduction in recurrent and development expenditure for the three arms of government, constitutional commissions and independent offices.

The total reduction for the national government stands at Sh145.7 billion, consisting of Sh40 billion for recurrent expenditure and Sh105 billion in development expenditure.