NYERI, Kenya- Residents of Mt Kenya have been urged to reconsider their relationship with President William Ruto and recognise what government officials describe as increased development investment in the region.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni made the appeal in Nyeri County during a public engagement under the Jamii Imara Mashinani initiative.
Muthoni told hundreds of residents who attended the engagement that the Kenya Kwanza administration had initiated and completed a number of development projects in the region, arguing that the government had delivered on promises made to voters.
“There is no love lost between the Head of State and the people of Mt Kenya,” Muthoni said, urging residents to give President Ruto an opportunity to complete his term and rejecting what she described as political propaganda targeting the government.
The PS, who was accompanied by directors and chief executive officers from various government institutions, said residents of Mt Kenya, particularly those in Nyeri, were among the beneficiaries of government programmes.
The meeting also focused heavily on healthcare, with Muthoni and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga urging residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The two leaders said healthcare should be treated as an individual concern rather than a political issue, while calling on residents to disregard what they termed misinformation about government health programmes.
Muthoni also criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, without elaborating on specific claims, and urged residents to reject what she described as falsehoods being circulated by political leaders.
Government officials said President Ruto is expected to tour the Mt Kenya region from early next year as the administration seeks to highlight development projects and consolidate its support in the region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Chairperson Winnie Ngumi said the government had invested heavily in road infrastructure in Nyeri.
According to Ngumi, ongoing and completed road projects in the county have a combined value of about KSh46 billion, which she said represents a significant government investment in the region.
Residents were urged to focus on projects and programmes they can see and benefit from rather than political narratives that officials said could undermine development efforts.
The meeting also highlighted Nyeri’s representation in government, with officials saying about 12 people from the county hold senior positions in the national government.
The outreach comes as political leaders and government officials intensify engagement with Mt Kenya, a key political region ahead of the 2027 elections.
