LAIKIPIA, Kenya – President William Ruto has assured residents of the Mt Kenya region that his administration remains committed to ensuring equitable development, promising to complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones to improve livelihoods.
Speaking in Laikipia West on Tuesday, where he launched several projects, Ruto affirmed that politics would not derail his government’s commitment to the socio-economic growth of the region.
“The biggest challenge here has been insecurity, and the topmost request by the people was to ensure their safety. I am glad that the interventions we rolled out have borne fruit, and people can now go about their business without fear,” he said.
He was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who emphasized that security in Laikipia County had improved since the Kenya Kwanza government took over in 2022.
“Insecurity was a major concern, but we beefed up security, deployed Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), and the situation has stabilized. Schools that were once closed due to banditry have now reopened,” Kindiki said.
During his tour, Ruto opened the Tuition Block at Ng’arachi Comprehensive School and launched the last-mile electricity connectivity project in Laikipia West.
The school was rehabilitated under the Operation Maliza Uhalifu initiative by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), which has improved learning infrastructure in nine schools in the constituency.
Other projects inspected by the President included:
- Nanyuki Modern Market and Affordable Housing Project in Laikipia East.
- New classrooms at Nanyuki DEB Primary and Junior School.
- Last-mile electricity connection for Mwicuiri village in Nyeri County.
- Classrooms at Naromoru Primary School in Kieni constituency.
- Naromoru ESP Market in Nyeri.
Ruto announced that the government had allocated Sh850 million to connect 10,000 households in Nyeri to electricity, with an additional Sh550 million earmarked for further electrification.
“The person to be questioned about Nyeri issues is me. Roads, markets, schools, and electricity connections must be done in Nyeri as they are in other parts of the country. I will never forget the support you gave me, and I will return it in kind,” Ruto assured residents.
The Deputy President reiterated the administration’s focus on development, dismissing distractions from political opponents.
“We will not waste time arguing with people who have no agenda for this country,” Kindiki stated. “I assure you, Mr. President, that together with Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and elected leaders, we will remain steadfast in delivering Kenya to the promised land under your leadership.”
