KITUI, Kenya- Government leaders have intensified efforts to rally support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid in the Ukambani region, arguing that his administration has delivered more development projects there than any previous government.
Speaking during a Jamii Imara Mashinani public engagement forum in Thokoa, Migwani, Mwingi West Constituency in Kitui County, political and government leaders urged residents to back President Ruto for a second term, citing ongoing infrastructure and economic projects they said were transforming the region.
The meeting brought together Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards) and Jonathan Mueke (Livestock Development), Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna Ngasya, popularly known as CNN, and other national and local leaders.
The leaders said the Kenya Kwanza administration had prioritised development in the lower eastern region, while blaming previous political leadership from Ukambani for failing to push for the implementation of key projects.
At the centre of the discussions was the construction of the 23-kilometre Kibwezi–Kitui–Migwani–Mbondoni road, which they described as a game changer for trade and economic growth. Once completed, the road is expected to connect residents to markets stretching from Garissa to the Port of Mombasa.
Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the road would enhance trade by improving transport links between Kitui and other parts of the country.
“The road will open up this region economically and enable residents to access new markets with ease,” Mueke said.
Area MP Charles Nguna Ngasya said the project had featured in presidential campaign promises for years, adding that residents were now witnessing its implementation.
“This road has been used as a campaign promise by successive presidents. Today, our people can finally see that promise becoming a reality,” he said.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Board Chairperson Winnie Ngumi said the road is currently about 50 per cent complete and is expected to be finished by December before being officially opened in January.
She added that compensation for affected landowners is ongoing in collaboration with the National Land Commission.
Ngumi described the project as a presidential directive that government agencies were committed to delivering within the stipulated timeline.
Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the Jamii Imara Mashinani initiative would continue visiting counties across Kenya to inspect ongoing government projects and engage wananchi on the administration’s development agenda.
She also dismissed claims that President Ruto had lost support in the Mt Kenya region, saying there was a “silent majority” that continued to support him and would back his re-election in the 2027 General Election.
“We will continue assessing government projects across the country to ensure service delivery while communicating the transformation agenda of this administration,” Muthoni said.
The Jamii Imara Mashinani initiative brings together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, chairpersons of state corporations, chief executive officers and other senior government officials to inspect projects and engage the public on government programmes.