Ruto defends development record, dismisses opposition during Kiambu tour

The President explained that the Kenya Kwanza administration, and now the broad-based government, is implementing its election manifesto page by page and pledge by pledge.

He said he would not be distracted by the opposition, which has no alternative agenda and is instead investing in personal attacks and propagating hate, division and tribalism.

“Our competitors have no plan, no agenda and no vision for our country. Their past is a scandal, their present is a fraud and their future is empty,” he said. “Let them continue calling me names but Kenya must be transformed.”

The President spoke during a development tour of Juja and Thika constituencies in Kiambu County on Friday. He was accompanied by Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, and MPs.

He pointed out that the broad-based government would secure victory in next year’s general election on the back of its impressive development record.

Across the country, President Ruto said Kenyans have felt the impact of transformative projects and programmes, citing reforms in agriculture, education, the economy and healthcare, among others.

He faulted the opposition for opposing the affordable housing programme and threatening to stop it if they were ever elected.

“Where will you take the 640,000 young people working in affordable housing programme projects?” he asked.

The President said the government is investing Ksh.55 billion to build 18,000 affordable housing units, 32 modern markets and 15,000 hostel beds for university and college students in Kiambu County.

On roads, he noted that the government has allocated adequate funds for stalled roads in Kiambu County, including 250km of Mau Mau roads, which will be completed in less than a year.

President Ruto also announced that funds have been secured for the dualization of Kiambu Road from Muthaiga to Ndumberi, which would reduce traffic congestion on the busy highway.

He added that construction of an expressway on Thika Superhighway, from Museum Hill in Nairobi to Thika in Kiambu, will begin in October.

At the same time, the President inspected the ongoing construction of the Ndarugo affordable housing project, with associated infrastructure, in Juja Constituency.

The project, a modern integrated estate, includes Ndarugo Dispensary, Ndarugo multi-purpose hall, Ndarugo ECDE, Ndarugo Secondary School, an administration block and Ndarugo Primary School.

He also inspected the 573-unit Thika UTI affordable housing project in Thika Town, as well as the 913-unit Thika Bustani and 975-unit Kings Orchid affordable housing projects.

President Ruto further commissioned the upgrading of Thika Stadium to a 10,000-seat capacity at a cost of KSh900 million.

Additionally, he inspected the construction of the 412-unit Thika Depot affordable housing project and later visited the Witeithie modern market in Juja.

Speaking at Witeithie township, he said the government is keeping its pledge to mama mboga by building more than 450 modern markets across the country to ensure decent and dignified working conditions for traders.

He added that the government has secured duty-free, quota-free market access in China, creating new export opportunities for agricultural products that will increase farmers’ earnings and improve livelihoods.

Kenya has similar arrangements with the European Union and the United Arab Emirates.

Governor Wamatangi said he was committed to working with the national government to transform Kiambu County and commended it for the construction of Thika Stadium to international standards.

Mr Ichung’wah also praised the government’s development record in Kiambu County, citing the many housing projects.

“We have unanimously agreed to focus on the delivery of projects you are doing for us - roads, affordable housing, markets and the stadium,” he said.

Juja MP George Koimburi said he abandoned the opposition because of “their conmanship”.