‘No amount of insults, noise will chase me from Mt. Kenya’: Ruto tells opposition

No amount of name-calling, incitement and propaganda will undermine my good relationship with the residents of Central Kenya, President William Ruto has said.

The President said the relationship has been built for over 20 years, and remains strong because of the delivery of projects agreed on before the last elections.

In the past three years, he explained that he has rolled out transformative projects, building a strong and visible development track record in the region and across the country.

“There are people who think they can insult me and make noise to drive me out of Mt Kenya region. I want to tell them that they are day dreaming,” he said.

"I will continue building roads, educating our children, and reforming agriculture and healthcare."

Speaking during a development tour of Murang’a County, President Ruto said he does not need permission from anyone to visit the region to update the people on the development agenda.

He was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Alice Wahome (Housing) and William Kabogo (ICT), Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, and various MPs led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, and MCAs.

The President told the opposition that the people will decide the fate of every leader based on their track record.

He challenged the opposition to present their agenda, noting that Kenyans are intelligent enough to know who has the best plan.

“If their job is to hurl insults, preach tribalism, hatred and division, they are not fit to lead,” he said.

On the development matters in Murang’a County, the President said the government is investing Ksh.27 billion in the construction of 6,800 affordable housing units, 25 modern markets and hostels to accommodate 7,000 college and university students.

To enhance access to electricity in the county, the President said Ksh.1.1 billion has been allocated to connect 14,000 households.

On agriculture, he noted that the government has reduced the price of fertiliser from Ksh.7,000 to Ksh.2,500, a programme that has increased production and productivity.

Additionally, President Ruto explained that the government has eliminated brokers from the coffee sector, ensuring farmers earn more.

As a result, he said, the price of coffee has increased from an average of Ksh.60 a kilo to between Ksh.110 and Ksh.160.

“The price of coffee will continue rising because we have put in place proper management to ensure no one steals from farmers again,” he said.

The President committed that the government will provide Ksh.10 million for solar dryers for coffee factories in Mathioya Constituency.

He commended Murang’a residents on universal healthcare, noting that 452,000 people have registered under the Social Health Authority.

“In the past one year, we have paid Ksh.2.2 billion to hospitals in Murang’a,” he said.

On roads in Murang’a and neighbouring counties, President Ruto said the government has disbursed Ksh.2 billion for the completion of Mau Mau roads.

In Mathioya, he launched the construction of the 18.5km Kiriko-Kagumoini-Gitugi-Chui-Karugia road.

Later, he laid the foundation stone for a 580-unit modern student hostel at Kiharu TVET, a Ksh.300 million investment that will provide safe and adequate accommodation.

He also commissioned a modern ICT Jitume Lab at the technical college, equipped with 100 new computers, where students will be trained to monetise their digital skills and competencies.

The President also laid the foundation stone for the 165-unit Kiharu Affordable Housing Project in Murang’a town, with a further 370 units in the pipeline.

He also inspected the 10,000-seater Mumbi Stadium, a Ksh.950 million investment set to boost sports development and nurture local talent in the county, and the Ksh.50 million Kayole Modern Market that will accommodate 200 traders.

In Gatanga, he launched construction of the 1,910-unit Gatanga Affordable Housing Project.

At the same time, the President inspected ongoing works at the Kenneth Matiba Hospital and committed Ksh.270 million for the expansion of the facility to enhance its emergency capacity.

His deputy, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, said the government will remain steadfast in delivering the country’s transformation agenda.

He cautioned Kenyans against leaders hellbent on inciting them against one another in their agenda to divide the country along tribal lines.

He said such leaders are backward and should not be allowed to mislead Kenyans.

“Kenyans will decide for themselves. They do not need a broker to decide for them,” he pointed out.

Governor Kang’ata said Murang’a County is focused on transforming the lives of its people, with a keen interest in industrialisation to expand employment opportunities.

“The partnership between the National Government and the county will enable Murang’a to be industrialised,” he said.

CS Wahome said the government is on course to deliver 500 markets across the country.

“In the Affordable Housing Programme, we have created over 640,000 jobs,” she said.