William Ruto's charm offensive on Central with development projects

President William Ruto and Meru Central Dairy Union CEO Kenneth Gitonga sampling one of the dairy products at the union's processing plant near Meru town on June 17, 2023. [PCS]

President William Ruto has initiated a charm offensive on Central Kenya counties with pledges to complete and initiate development projects across the region.

In Murang'a County, the Industrial park project will be initiated at the Makeji area, where Delmonte Kenya Limited ceded 1,400 acres of land to the area government.

On Friday, Ruto said the national government would inject Sh250 million to match the Sh250 million that Governor Irungu Kang'ata set aside for the purpose of enhancing business activities.

The head of state was on a tour of Murang'a County where he presided over a prize giving day at Mugoiri Girls and Murang'a High School and unveiled the county government uji and smart cities programmes in Kigumo Sub County.

He said the park would promote the processing of farm produce, thus creating employment for thousands of young people.

"Together with the county government we will put up an industrial park on land the county got from DMK. The park will help in doing value addition of the farm produce and help provide employment opportunities to the youth," explained the head of state.

Three weeks ago, members of the Kandara Residents Association chased away surveyors from the county government who were deployed to erect beacons on the area where Kenneth Matiba Hospital would be constructed within the 14,00 acres.

The county pays rent of Sh16.4 million per year for accommodating Kenneth Matiba Hospital in a rental building in the Kenol market.

At Kangari, Ruto said the county government will add 20 milk coolers to enhance the dairy sector. He handed over a milk delivery truck to the management of Kangari United Dairy Cooperative Society and a cheque.

There are another 38 milk coolers established by former Governor Mwangi wa Iria in the wards producing milk.

At Ngaremara, President Ruto issued 1000 title deeds and pledged to give another 30,000 deeds covering all adjudication areas in the next two to three years.

He said 100 officers had been employed to expedite adjudication in the country.

The two were also in the company of Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen when the President opened the 24km Isiolo-Ruiri-Meru road.

"The road will boost trade between Meru and Isiolo," Ruto said.

Ruto assured Isiolo residents the construction of the long-delayed Kinna-Garbatullah road that will be completed within a year.

Additionally, President Ruto said the Kula Mawe-Ngaremara-Garissa road had started and been completed in two years. The Isiolo-Modogashe road was on the development agenda.