Ruto woos Mount Kenya with goodies as he seeks region's support

President William Ruto at Ngarachi Comprehensive School in Laikipia West during the beginning of his tour of the Mt. Kenya region on April 1, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] President William Ruto yesterday unveiled a series of projects in Meru and Kirinyaga counties as he intensified efforts to consolidate support in the region. Speaking in Maua, Meru County, during the second day of his Mount Kenya tour, the President dismissed those he claimed were attempting to turn the region against him. He cited improvements in the miraa, tea, dairy, and coffee sectors as achievements resulting from unity with local leaders and communities. "I have built friendships with Meru and the mountain [people] for 20 years. My job as a leader is to unite everyone because unity translates to strength. I will ensure that no part of Kenya, no community, is left behind," Ruto said. In what some interpreted as a veiled attack on his former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who has been openly critical of him, Ruto asserted that he would not allow anyone to disrupt his efforts to unite the country. "I will not allow anybody to come between us as we work together to develop the country," he stated. Ruto's key projects launched in Mt Kenya The President laid the foundation stone for a Huduma Centre in Maua, aimed at bringing government services closer to residents, eliminating the need to travel to Meru or Isiolo towns. "It will be completed in five months, and all government services will be accessible here," he assured. He also oversaw the groundbreaking ceremony for a KES 280 million modern market in Maua, a key miraa-growing region. Additionally, Ruto announced a KES 1.8 billion electricity connectivity project to supply power to 20,000 households in Meru, pledging to accelerate the process for areas yet to be connected. He further committed to reviving the stalled Maua-Athiru Road, stating that a new contractor had been appointed to expedite the project. Crackdown on miraa cartels Visiting the miraa-growing region amid farmers' complaints about cartels controlling the sector and fleecing them, Ruto vowed to eliminate these groups to ensure farmers benefit from their produce. He noted that his administration had delivered on a key campaign pledge by appointing Kubai Iringo as Kenya's ambassador to Somalia, the largest miraa export market. He further directed the ambassador to secure additional markets in Somaliland and Jubaland. "So that we can have more markets for miraa farmers," Ruto said. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who accompanied Ruto, reinforced the administration's commitment to miraa farmers, noting that the government had recently gazetted new miraa prices to protect their earnings. "We pledged more miraa markets and better prices. The government set guaranteed minimum returns for miraa, and we are working to ensure those prices are implemented," Kindiki stated. Kindiki, formerly the Interior Cabinet Secretary, requested that Ruto delegate the fight against miraa cartels to him, citing his experience tackling terrorists and bandits. "You have a DP, CSs, and PSs. Delegate the fight against miraa cartels to me-I have some experience!" he said. Ruto's Kirinyaga development pledges In Kirinyaga County, Ruto announced that his government had disbursed KES 958 million to fund stalled road projects in the region. "We have many roads to complete in Kirinyaga, and during my last visit, I committed to finishing them. I have now released the money, and the 55-kilometre road will be completed," he said. He also assured residents that other road projects in the county would proceed as planned. The President was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretaries Eric Mugaa and William Kabogo, and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa. Also present were MPs John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central), Rahim Dawood (North Imenti), Elizabeth Kailemia (Meru Woman Rep), Charity Kathambi (Njoro), and Dorothy Muthoni (Nominated MP). Ruto also launched a power station in South Imenti, furthering his administration's electrification agenda.

Ruto woos Mount Kenya with goodies as he seeks region's support

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