Ruto flags off major power, infrastructure projects in Mt Kenya

President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki continued their tour of the Mt Kenya region, reaffirming their commitment to fulfilling campaign promises and spearheading key development projects.

Speaking during the second day of the visit, DP Kindiki assured residents that the President was delivering on his pledges, despite being in office for only two and a half years. 

He highlighted major infrastructural and economic projects aimed at transforming the region, including the construction of modern markets, electricity connectivity, and support for farmers. 

The president reiterated his promise to create a conducive business environment for small traders. 

In line with this, a modern market is under construction in Maua town, with additional markets being developed in Meru and across the country. 

This is part of a broader initiative to construct 400 new markets nationwide to ensure dignified trading spaces for vendors and small-scale traders.

President Ruto also launched a last-mile electricity connectivity project targeting 20,000 households in Meru County at a cost of Ksh. 1.8 billion. 

The government further flagged off a separate last-mile connectivity project in Meru worth Ksh. 1.2 billion, which will provide 10,000 households with access to the national grid. 

The President underscored his commitment to farmers, particularly those in the coffee, tea, sugarcane, and miraa sectors. He assured miraa farmers that the government had already implemented a guaranteed minimum return policy to stabilize the market. 

DP Kindiki, echoing this sentiment, vowed to eradicate cartels in the miraa sector, comparing his crackdown efforts to the government's past success in dealing with bandits and terrorists. 

"Miraa cartels will be eliminated just like we dealt with criminals in other sectors," Kindiki emphasized.

During their second day of the tour on Wednesday, April 2, the President and his delegation inspected and launched several projects in various constituencies. 

In Igembe South, they oversaw the inspection of the sewerage line in Maua Town, commissioned the Huduma Centre, and inspected the ESP Market. 

In Tigania West, they issued 9,600 title deeds at Athwana Market and inspected the Kiburi Feedlot. 

The delegation proceeded to Imenti South, where they inspected the ongoing construction of the Nkuene Power Sub-Station, valued at Ksh. 337 million. 

In Mwea, they visited the Animal Hospital and Industrial Training Institute (AHITI) Ndomba Artificial Insemination Station. Finally, in Kirinyaga Central, they inspected the ESP Market in Kagio and launched the Last Mile Power Connectivity project in the area.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that all development pledges are met, promising that no region would be left behind. He emphasized that his government remains focused on delivering tangible progress to uplift the lives of Kenyans, especially in rural areas.