KITUI, Kenya — President William Ruto is expected to continue his development tour of the Ukambani region with a packed itinerary across Kitui County, where he will launch, inspect, and commission a series of major infrastructure projects aimed at boosting connectivity and spurring local economic growth.
According to the official schedule, the President will tour five constituencies — Mwingi North, Mwingi West, Kitui South, Kitui East, and Kitui Central — in what the State House has described as part of the administration’s broader plan to accelerate rural transformation and infrastructure expansion.
Ruto will begin his day in Mwingi North, where he is set to inspect the Kamuw’ongo–Kandwia Road, a key trade route linking remote northern communities. He will then proceed to Mwingi West to assess the ongoing construction of the Kwasiku–Migwani–Mbondoni Road before heading to Kitui South to launch the Ikutha–Mutha Road, expected to open up agricultural and mining zones to new investment.
In Kitui East, the President will preside over the launch of the Chuluni–Nzombe–Mwitika Road, designed to improve access to markets, schools, and health facilities. Later in Kitui Central, he will commission the newly completed Ithookwe Stadium and the refurbished Kitui Airstrip, both seen as flagship projects set to boost sports, tourism, and business in the county.
The visit is politically significant, as Kitui is the home turf of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, a key opposition figure and long-time political rival of the President.
Ruto’s Kitui engagements come a day after his tour of Makueni County, where he launched the Emali–Ukia Road, commissioned the Mikuyu Bridge in Kilome, and inspected the Wote Affordable Housing Project. Throughout his Ukambani tour, Ruto has emphasised that his government will focus on projects that uplift communities and reduce regional disparities.
“My government will continue prioritising projects that directly improve livelihoods, especially in regions that have lagged behind in development,” Ruto told residents during a stopover in Kibwezi, Makueni County.
In a speech that blended development pledges with political messaging, the President vowed to ensure Ukambani aligns with his administration ahead of the next general election, declaring that the region could no longer afford to remain in opposition.
“Kwa vyovyote, mbele na nyuma, kulia na kushoto, juu na chini — hii Ukambani haiwezi kukaa upinzani tena,” he said to cheers from the crowd. (“By all means possible, Ukambani will never again remain in the opposition.”)
Ruto acknowledged that his past political strategies contributed to the region’s isolation, admitting he had “neglected” Ukambani and allowed rivals to gain influence. He now insists that his development drive is aimed at reintegrating the region into the national agenda.
The Kitui tour marks the second day of Ruto’s multi-county visit to Eastern Kenya, which focuses on infrastructure, housing, and youth empowerment — key pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The President is expected to visit Machakos County on Friday before holding a leaders’ meeting on Saturday, wrapping up his week-long engagement in the region.
