Lawmakers: Mt Kenya is in government to stay

Just over a week after President William Ruto’s visit to the Mt Kenya region, politicians allied to him are back, splashing millions of shillings in what they describe as economic empowerment initiatives.

The leaders on Sunday insisted that the Mt Kenya region was firmly in government, asserting that President Ruto’s administration had delivered on its campaign promises to residents.

“When you see us supporting this government, it is because Kiambu played a pivotal role in bringing it to power and we are here to stay,” said National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

He was speaking during a fundraiser held at Karuri High School grounds in Kiambaa Constituency, attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and several MP and a governor.

Kiambaa MP John Njuguna had invited the leaders to the event, which aimed to raise funds for boda boda operators and women’s groups. Within minutes, at least Sh10 million was raised, with leaders saying the government’s economic empowerment agenda was progressing in line with pre-election commitments.

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Kindiki also defended former President Uhuru Kenyatta from blame over the country’s economic state, saying the situation President Ruto inherited was largely due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Many believe we blame Uhuru for the economic state we found, but the primary cause was the Covid-19 pandemic, which shut down the economy for nearly two years. No businesses were operating; people were not working. Such a shutdown inevitably leads to the situation we encountered in 2022.”

He added: “When we sought votes, we made promises—among them to empower small business owners through the bottom-up economic model. We committed to uplifting women in markets, boda boda riders, public service operators and other small-scale traders, enabling them to run sustainable businesses.”

Kindiki highlighted Kiambu’s large population as justification for the development initiatives being undertaken, including the construction of 25 modern markets valued at approximately Sh22.1 billion.

“We are on track to meet the promises we made to Kenyans—supporting communities, groups, and individuals at the bottom of the economic pyramid,” he added.

He said the economy had since stabilised, enabling the government to mobilise funds to complete all stalled development projects.

“Many roads had stalled due to economic shocks from the pandemic. But now, with the economy stabilised, the government has sufficient resources to resume and complete roadworks across the country,” he noted.

Kindiki urged residents to disregard critics of the government, assuring them that development was ongoing.

Ichung’wah reiterated that the Mt Kenya region remains integral to the government.

“The Kiambaa initiative marks the pilot phase of our empowerment programme—the foundation of the Kenya Kwanza campaign. We held an economic forum and signed the Kiambu Economic Charter, outlining agreed development priorities, many of which are being implemented,” said Ichung’wah.

He cited key ongoing projects in the county, including 10 affordable housing schemes worth Sh24.6 billion, 25 market developments valued at Sh22.1 billion, and 105 kilometres of the 218-kilometre Mau Mau Road, with regional road projects totalling Sh157 billion.

Ichung’wah further noted that Mt Kenya had benefited significantly under the current administration, not only through infrastructure and development projects, but also through political representation—having secured the Deputy President’s position, seven Cabinet Secretaries, 15 Principal Secretaries, and numerous parastatal appointments.

Also present at the event were Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, and MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), John Machua (Kiambu Town), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio), Njoroge Kururia (Gatundu North), Gabriel Kagombe (Gatundu South), Jane Kagiri (Laikipia Woman Rep), and Anne Wamuratha (Kiambu Woman Rep).

The leaders urged residents to be patient and give President Ruto time to deliver on his promises, noting that development takes time.