FEATURED STORY

Inside Ruto’s Basket of Goodies For Mt Kenya

BT ReporterApr 7, 20254 Mins read77

President William Ruto during his Mt Kenya tour. [Photo/@WilliamsRuto/X]

President William Ruto has concluded his week-long development tour in the Mt Kenya region after launching, commissioning, and inspecting several development projects there.

The president kicked off on April 1, 2025, in Laikipia County where the government has spent Ksh200 million to rehabilitate nine schools: Ng’arachi, Kirima, Mahua, Muteta, Thigio, Gatarima, Mwenje, Nyakinyua, and Milimani primary schools.

The government is also investing Ksh1.12 billion to connect over 9,000 households to electricity in Laikipia County, an initiative that will spur the region’s growth.

When he visited the county on April 1, Ruto flagged off the Last Mile Connectivity Programme and officially opened the rehabilitated Ng’arachi Comprehensive School. He also delivered a school bus to Dr Wachira Secondary School, Kiamariga, and handed over car wash machines to boda boda operators from the county to boost their incomes.

Ruto promised that no community, county or region will be sidelined by the Broad-based Government.

In Laikipia County, the president laid the foundation stone for the construction of 10 classrooms at Nanyuki D.E.B. Primary and Junior Secondary School.

He also inspected the Ksh350 million Nanyuki Modern Market, toured the Nanyuki Affordable Housing Project. Ruto also inspected the 200-unit Nanyuki Affordable Housing Project that is now 97 per cent complete has so far created more than 1,000 jobs to the youth.

The president also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Huduma Centre in Maua, that will offer more than 20 services to the people of Igembe South.

In Igembe South, Meru County, Ruto also launched the Maua Sewerage Line that will serve more than 13,000 people in Maua.

He also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Maua Modern Market and addressed traders and locals.

In Kibiru, Tigania West, Meru County, the president commissioned the Kibiru Beef Feedlot, a facility that will significantly boost livestock production in the region, both for local consumption and export.

He also issued 10,800 title deeds to residents of the area, a move that will enable them to benefit directly from the Ksh40 billion Meru Energy Park, which will offer them financial returns for the use of their land.

Ruto also commissioned the Nkuene Electricity Sub-Station, South Imenti, Meru County where more than 20,000 households will benefit from over 375 electricity projects being implemented in Buuri, Central Imenti, Igembe Central, Igembe North, Igembe South, North Imenti, Tigania East and Tigania West constituencies.

In Mwea, Kirinyaga County, Ruto launched an Artificial Insemination Centre.

In Kagio, Kirinyaga County, Ruto laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Ksh310 million Kagio Market, which will accommodate 750 traders and feature an ICT hub to empower young people.

The president also launched a Ksh500 million Last Mile Connectivity project that will connect 6,200 households to electricity. An additional Ksh400 million will later be allocated to raise the number of homes to be connected to power to 11,000.

The president also promised to support the County Government of Nyandarua with Ksh800 million to complete the stalled J.M. Kariuki Memorial County Referral Hospital.

He also assessed the ongoing construction of the 142-bed capacity J.M. Kariuki Memorial County Referral Hospital that will offer in-patient, outpatient, imaging, laboratory, emergency, and maternal and child healthcare services.

Ruto also flagged off the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project at the Jua Kali Stage, Ol Kalou Town and inspected the Ol Kalou Affordable Housing.

In Karugia, Murang’a County, he inspected the ongoing construction of the Kaihi Irrigation Project, covering 1,600 acres. It is expected to generate Ksh720 million in annual output, creating up to 6,000 jobs.

Additionally, he inspected the construction of the Karugia Modern Market, a Ksh55 million investment set for completion within two months.

In Maragua, he commissioned the KSsh1billion Maragua Ridge Irrigation Development Project. With a water storage capacity of 860,000 cubic metres. It will support irrigation on 800 acres and create over 12,000 jobs.

He also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Engineer Modern Market in Kinangop, Nyandarua County. Later, toured the North Kinangop Affordable Housing Project.

In Makuyu, Murang’a County, Ruto flagged off Last Mile Connectivity Programme and laid the foundation stone for the construction of 764 unit Affordable Housing Project.

In Mbeere South, Embu County, Ruto launched the construction of the intake, water treatment plant, and the laying of 26km of pipes at Kamburu Dam Water Supply project. Once complete, the project being undertaken at a cost of Ksh789 million will benefit 88,000 residents with clean drinking water and boost food production through irrigation.

Ruto also officially opened the Tharaka University Tuition Complex, Tharaka Nithi County. The president also inspected the Ksh60 million Gatunga Market that will accommodate more than 200 traders.

At Chogoria town, Maara Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County, Ruto inspected progress on the Ksh112 million modern market and addressed wananchi on the programs the government is rolling out for them.

In Chuka, Tharaka Nithi County, Ruto handed over 60 Chuka Police Station housing units that will provide officers with decent shelter.

The president also laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 385-unit Chuka Public Works Affordable Housing Project. He also inspected the Ksh290 million Chuka Modern Market that will accommodate more than 350 traders.

In Runyenjes Town, Ruto inspected the construction of the Huduma Digital Centre and launched the construction of the Ksh250 million Runyenjes Modern Market that will benefit more than 850 traders.

In Embu Town, Ruto flagged off a Ksh580 million last-mile electricity connectivity project set to benefit 6,500 households. He also inspected the ongoing construction of the Embu Modern Market, which will accommodate 3,000 traders.

In Nyeri Town, Nyeri County, the president inspected the ongoing construction of 468 unit Ruring’u Affordable Housing Project, which also includes a primary school and five blocks of shops.

He also inspected Ruring’u Stadium, revealing that the contract dispute that had delayed its completion has now been resolved, and the Kenya Defence Forces has taken over to fast-track the project’s delivery.

In Othaya Town, he laid the foundation for the construction of Ksh325 million modern market, which will comprise 1,000 stalls, cold rooms, and ICT hubs.

During his tour, the head of state revealed that the government has set aside Ksh5 billion to revive stalled Mau Mau road projects across Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua, and Nyeri counties.

Kiambu County alone has received Ksh3.6 billion for these roads.

Additionally, Ksh500 million has been allocated to connect Kiambu County residents to electricity.

“Furthermore, we are building seven affordable housing projects, comprising 16,000 units in the county. In implementing the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda to support farmers and traders, 25 modern markets are being built in the county, 11 of which are at more than 50 per cent stage of completion,” Ruto stated

In Lari, Kiambu County, Ruto inspected the Mau Mau Road Lot 1A and Lot 1B that will ease transport of people and goods, and connect Kiambu to other counties. He also opened Jitume ICT Lab at Lari Technical and Vocational College.

Ruto wound up our one-week development tour of Mt Kenya with the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the Githunguri Modern Market that will serve more than 1,200 traders.

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