Gov't launches Ksh.10B projects ahead of Ol Kalou By-elections

The government has launched several development projects worth more than Ksh.10 billion in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County, ahead of the July 16 by-election.

On Tuesday, Principal Secretary for Blue Economy and Fisheries Betsy Muthoni, alongside other principal secretaries, unveiled two fishing boats worth Ksh.5 million in the constituency.

The opposition insists the projects are being rolled out to influence voters ahead of the by-election.

Nine candidates, including Sammy Kamau Ngotho of DCP and Samuel Muchina Nyagah of UDA, are set to face off in what is shaping up to be a closely contested race for the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.

In line with a series of recent government activities in the constituency, state officials were once again on the ground, this time handing over two fishing boats to residents at Gwa Kiongo in Ol Kalou.

Boats worth Ksh.5 million and equipped with specialised engines and fishing nets,” said PS Muthoni.

The Principal Secretary said more boats would be distributed to other dams in the constituency.

Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho added, “These are part of the 50 mega dams promised by the President.”

The boats were handed over just hours after another government programme saw the distribution of 20,000 six-kilogram LPG gas cylinders to residents at a subsidised price of Ksh.1,500.

The latest initiative follows a series of multi-billion-shilling projects in the constituency, including road construction, markets, 23 electricity projects and power connections, title deeds and water projects.

“We are spending over KSh10 billion on projects in roads, water, gas, avocado farming and other sectors,” former CS Moses Kuria stated.

The government insists the projects are not intended to influence voters, even as questions persist over the involvement of state officers during the campaign period.

“We are not bribing voters. These projects started even before MP Kiaraho died,” Energy PS Alex Wachira noted.

Opposition leaders have accused the government of deploying state resources to sway voters through development projects.

The projects come as about 72,000 registered voters prepare to elect their next Member of Parliament in the next 10 days.