President William Ruto has commenced a five-day tour of the Mt. Kenya region, aiming to launch and inspect various development projects across nine counties. The tour includes visits to Laikipia, Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Kiambu. Key activities involve commissioning roads, affordable housing, fresh produce markets, electricity connectivity, and water and irrigation projects. In Kiambu and Laikipia, the President is expected to inspect the construction of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIPS). Additionally, he will issue title deeds in Nyeri and Meru counties and assess ongoing water, sanitation, and sewerage programs in Meru, Murang’a, and Embu counties.
This tour is President Ruto’s first significant visit to the region since the October 2024 impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The impeachment has led to a divide within the region, with Gachagua emerging as a vocal critic of the President. Gachagua has accused Ruto of neglecting the region and has vowed to ensure the President serves only one term. In response, President Ruto has addressed the issue, attributing Gachagua’s downfall to internal conflicts and a focus on personal grievances over official duties. He expressed frustration over Gachagua’s demands for substantial funds to resolve regional issues and dismissed concerns about political tensions, attributing them to “imagined crises.”
Residents of Mt. Kenya have expressed expectations for tangible development outcomes from the tour. Local leaders have highlighted the need to address stalled projects, particularly in infrastructure and healthcare. In Kirinyaga, leaders are urging the President to prioritize the completion of the Sh20 billion Kenya Medical Research Institute in Mwea. They emphasize the importance of reviving stalled road projects and addressing the high cost of living affecting residents.
The political climate in Mt. Kenya remains charged, with Gachagua’s faction accusing the President of attempting to rebrand projects initiated under the previous administration. They argue that many of the projects being launched were started by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and are merely being rebranded under Ruto’s administration. This perspective contributes to the complex political dynamics the President faces during his tour.
