President William Ruto is today expected to continue his development tour of the Ukambani region with a packed schedule across Kitui County.
He will launch, inspect, and commission a series of infrastructure projects aimed at boosting connectivity and economic growth.
Ruto is set to visit five constituencies of Mwingi North, Mwingi West, Kitui South, Kitui East, and Kitui Central, as part of the government’s wider plan to accelerate rural development.
According to the official itinerary, the Head of State will begin the day in Mwingi North, where he is expected to inspect the Kamuw’ongo–Kandwia Road, a key route that links remote communities and facilitates trade within the northern parts of Kitui County.
He will then proceed to Mwingi West to inspect the ongoing works on the Kwasiku–Migwani–Mbondoni Road, before heading to Kitui South for the official launch of the Ikutha–Mutha Road, which is anticipated to open up agricultural and mining zones to new economic opportunities.
In Kitui East, he is scheduled to launch the Chuluni–Nzombe–Mwitika road, another major project aimed at improving access to markets, schools, and health facilities in the eastern region of the county.
Later in the day, Ruto is expected to preside over the commissioning of the newly completed Ithookwe Stadium and the refurbished Kitui Airstrip in Kitui Central, both considered flagship projects that will enhance sports, tourism, and investment potential in the county.
His visit to the county is significant considering it is the home turf of opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The visit to Kitui follows Ruto’s engagements in Makueni County Wednesday, where he commissioned the Mikuyu Bridge in Kilome Constituency, launched the Emali–Ukia Road in Kibwezi West, and inspected the Wote Affordable Housing Project in Makueni Constituency.
He also made stopovers at various centers to address the residents.
In his address, he reiterated that his government will continue prioritising projects that directly improve livelihoods, particularly in areas that have lagged behind in development.
Local leaders and residents are expected to welcome the President warmly, with many terming his visit a sign of renewed national attention to the Ukambani region.
Ruto vowed to do whatever it takes to ensure the Kamba region is part of the government come the next general election.
He said it was unfortunate that for too long the region has remained in the opposition, hence lagging on development as other regions progress.
“Kwa vyovyote, mbele na nyuma, kulia na kushoto, juu na chini, hii Ukambani haiwezi kukaa upinzani tena,” he told the residents in Kibwezi.
(By all means possible, this Ukambani will never again remain in the opposition)
The President admitted that he partly contributed to the region’s political isolation in the past, saying he had neglected it and allowed his opponents to “penetrate and mislead” the people into the opposition.
Without naming names, Ruto appeared to address some leaders, telling residents that he was determined to reclaim the region’s political loyalty.
“Tell them that Ruto has arrived and has said Ukambani is leaving the opposition to join the government,” he said, drawing excitement from the crowd.
The Kitui engagements mark the second day of Ruto’s multi-county tour of the Eastern region, which continues to showcase his administration’s focus on infrastructure, housing, and youth empowerment as key pillars of Kenya’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
On Friday, he will be in Machakos County.
On Saturday, he will hold a leaders’ meeting.
by FELIX KIPKEMOI
