Ruto: Expansion of Mzima Springs water project to begin this year

The President said the Government will mobilise KSh30 billion for the project to tackle perennial water shortages in the county and neighbouring areas.

The project, to be financed through the National Infrastructure Fund, will provide water to Mwatate, Voi and Taveta constituencies and also supply Mombasa City.

"The management of the National Infrastructure Fund is already in place, and I have instructed that Mzima Springs water project should get priority," he said.

He attributed the region's persistent water shortages to inadequate supply, noting that the first phase of Mzima Springs was completed in 1984, more than 40 years ago.

President Ruto explained that the National Infrastructure Fund was established to finance major investments in roads, electricity connectivity and dams as part of the Government's plan to speed up development.

The President made the remarks during a Sunday service at Mwatate Pentecostal Church, Taita-Taveta, on the second day of his development tour of the county.

Present were Governor Andrew Mwadime, Mwatate MP Peter Shake, Woman Rep Lydia Haika, former Taita-Taveta Governors Granton Samboja and John Mruttu, among other leaders.

Turning to the national unity agenda, the President affirmed that equitable development remains central to his vision of a united country where no region is left behind.

He traced the unity efforts to the formation of the Broad-Based Government, anchored on a working arrangement between the United Democratic Alliance and the Orange Democratic Movement.

That commitment, he added, informs his extensive tours across the country.

"I was here yesterday and today. I will also be here on Thursday," President Ruto told the congregation. "I was also here in Taita-Taveta early this year, and now I am here again. And I will keep coming."

The President urged political leaders to focus on solutions for their constituents rather than blame others, saying he is deliberately working with leaders across the political divide.

He commended Taita-Taveta leaders for cooperating with the Broad-Based Government and reminded them that elective office is a call to service.

"Politics is not life and death; it's a God-given opportunity to serve," he pointed out.

On next year's General Election, he said Kenyans will assess leaders based on their track record, and criticised those who resort to name-calling, division and insults.

He noted that Taita-Taveta had suffered marginalisation partly because some leaders believe the region does not offer significant electoral returns.

"Discrimination has been a problem, causing division and animosity among our people," President Ruto stated, urging leaders to set a good example and work together.

Assuring residents that the era of exclusion and marginalisation is over, the President pointed to the KSh15 billion set aside for roads in the county as evidence that Taita-Taveta will no longer be left behind.

In regard to the transformation going on in the county, he explained that the long-stalled Mto Mwagodi-Mbale-Bura road is now under construction and progressing well.

"In April, only 4km of the road had been done. Now 13km are complete. By December, the tarmac road will have reached Wundanyi and Bura," he said.

In response to a request by Mwatate MP Shake, the President pledged to build the Dembwa-Murray road, reaffirming that the Government will continue opening up the region to improve access to markets and essential services.

Beyond roads, President Ruto highlighted the ongoing construction of the KSh5 billion railway line from Voi towards Tanzania. Five stations will be built at Mwatate, Bura, Mwakitau and Taveta.

"We are ending discrimination in development. Whatever projects are being implemented in other parts of the country, Taita-Taveta is getting its fair share," he emphasised.

He questioned opposition to major infrastructure projects by a section of politicians, arguing that roads, railways, markets and housing are critical to economic transformation.

On trade infrastructure, the President disclosed that seven markets are under development across the county to provide better operating spaces for Mama Mboga and other small-scale traders. 

While noting that Mwatunge Market is nearing completion, he said it is located too far from the town centre and challenged local leaders to provide land for another market closer to Mwatate town.

On affordable housing, President Ruto explained that construction in Mwatate has been delayed by a land dispute that has now been resolved. The Government allocated KSh1.5 billion for the project more than a year ago.

"The court case that had delayed the project is now over and we are launching it next week," he announced.

At the same time, the President donated KSh10 million each to Kenyatta High School and Mwasere Girls High School for the construction of more classrooms, reiterating the Government's commitment to investing in education to expand opportunities for learners.

Additionally, he stated that the Government is working round the clock to comprehensively address the squatter challenge in the Coast region.

Recalling his 2022 campaign promise, he declared: "During the campaigns, I said I would address the land question. Now I have the land answer."

He announced that 31,328 beneficiaries in Taita-Taveta will receive title deeds on Thursday, saying the intervention will end uncertainty and give families security to invest.

"We are keen to comprehensively address the squatter problem by buying land from absentee landlords so that people can plan their lives without fear of eviction and disruption," President Ruto stated.

On family values, the President called on parents, religious leaders, communities and political leaders to jointly instill strong moral values in children.

"To bring up upright children, we must work together," he said, adding that such collective effort would build a stable country with a strong moral foundation.

On her part, Ms Haika thanked President Ruto for spending three days in the county, saying his extended stay demonstrated his commitment to equitable development.

She noted that residents have long endured poor roads, water shortage and uncertainty of land ownership alongside human-wildlife conflict and historical injustices.