NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has pledged that no part of the country will be excluded from the government’s development agenda, announcing projects worth more than Sh30 billion in Makueni County as part of efforts to accelerate economic transformation and improve livelihoods.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Friday during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Makueni County led by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, the President outlined ongoing and planned investments in housing, roads, water and healthcare.
“No part of the country will be left behind in our transformation journey,” President Ruto said.
The President said the government is investing Sh15 billion in affordable housing programmes, construction of 11 modern markets and student hostels for university and college learners in the county.
He also announced that Sh2.7 billion has been allocated for road infrastructure projects in Makueni during the current financial year.
According to the President, construction of the Emali–Matiliku and Ukia–Kyuasini–Kyaambeke roads is already underway, while work on the Machinery–Kyumani and Wote–Kako roads is expected to begin soon.
“The Emali-Matiliku and Ukia-Kyuasini-Kyaambeke roads are under construction while works on the Machinery-Kyumani and Wote-Kako roads will commence shortly,” he said.
Thwake Dam central to water and agriculture plans
President Ruto said the government has secured Sh10.6 billion to complete the long-awaited Thwake Dam project, which straddles the border of Makueni and Kitui counties.
The dam is expected to address persistent water shortages in the region while supporting irrigation and agricultural production across Ukambani.
Water infrastructure remains a key pillar of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which seeks to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security through strategic investments in irrigation and water storage facilities.
The President also highlighted gains in the health sector, saying the Social Health Authority (SHA) has paid Sh2 billion to hospitals in Makueni County to support the delivery of healthcare services.
The payments, he said, have improved access to quality healthcare for residents while supporting the implementation of the government’s universal health coverage programme.
Leaders pledge support for government agenda
The meeting also took on a political dimension as leaders from Makueni pledged support for the President’s development agenda and called for greater collaboration between the region and the national government.
MP Mutuse said residents had resolved to work closely with the administration to accelerate development and address long-standing economic challenges.
“Makueni and the larger Ukambani region have lagged behind because of bad politics. We are committed to working with the President to transform the county and lift our people out of poverty,” he said.
Mutuse further announced that a section of leaders in the region had decided to align themselves with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“We have agreed to ditch the Wiper party, a small tribal party, for the UDA, a national political party,” he remarked.
Aspiring Senator Andrew Mutava Mulwa said leaders in Ukambani were determined to move away from divisive politics and focus on development.
“The people of Makueni have made a decision that they will be in Government,” he said.
State Department for Aviation Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika and former Makueni Governor Prof Philip Kyalo Kaloki also praised the government’s development initiatives, saying closer cooperation with the national administration would help unlock the county’s economic potential.