By Seliphar Machoni
President William Ruto has resumed his development tour of various counties after a two-
month hiatus, delivering benefits across the country.
Recently, Ruto, who had been confined to Nairobi due to protests against his government’s
perceived failures, began launching projects worth billions of shillings in different counties.
The President has assured that his broad-based government will continue to take
unprecedented steps to accelerate the delivery of the national economic transformation
agenda with integrity, efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity.
So far, he has launched projects valued at more than Sh5 billion, including last-mile
electricity connectivity, road construction, healthcare, schools, and markets.
“With the formation of a broad-based government that brings together former political rivals
into one selfless, patriotic team, we will unlock the potential of our country that has long been
denied by factional and sectarian competition. Our nation’s progress has often been
undermined by divisions arising from political rivalry,” Ruto said.
This comes against the President’s move to implement austerity measures, the withdrawal of
the Finance Bill 2024, and the recent court ruling that declared the Finance Act 2023
unconstitutional.
Ruto is using these development tours to justify his foreign trips, noting that many of the
projects are donor-funded.
For instance, he stated that he secured about Sh27 billion in funding from France, Saudi
Arabia, and Brussels to support various projects that will accelerate economic growth.
He also cited funding from the Chinese government of about Sh40 billion last year, which
will facilitate major projects like road construction.
“As President, I will ensure that I unite all parts of Kenya and work together in government.
This is the moment in our nation’s history when we must close ranks, walk together, and
focus on the collective good of the nation rather than the private interests of leaders or
parties. Our progress and transformation are far more important than the selfish interests of
any individual,” said Ruto.
On Tuesday, the President, accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet
Secretaries, and other senior government officials, visited Kisii, where he commissioned
projects including last-mile connectivity, roads, healthcare, educational institutions, and
markets.
“In Kisii, we plan to connect 30,000 more households to electricity for Sh2 billion.
Additionally, Sh400 million will be used to connect 5,000 households in Kitutu Chache
North. We also aim to build 17 state-of-the-art markets in the county,” he said.
He launched the affordable housing project in Nyaribari Masaba, announcing plans to
construct 10,000 units in the county and create employment for at least 20,000 youths.
The President also broke ground for the Kisii Cancer Treatment Centre, valued at about Sh3
billion. The centre will have a 76-bed capacity and offer services such as cancer awareness,
prevention, screening, early detection, and diagnosis, along with the latest treatment options,
including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
