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President William Ruto has assured that the Lower Eastern region, along with any other part of Kenya, will not face discrimination in national development. He emphasised
that the region deserves its fair share of national resources, just like the rest of the country.
Speaking at a development caucus with over 1,500 professionals and grassroots leaders from the three Lower Eastern counties of Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, President Ruto stated, “I will not allow Ukambani to be left behind. We shall move together as one nation.”
Among those present were Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua of Machakos, Presiding Bishop Abraham Mulwa
of the African Inland Church, and the Most Reverend Timothy Ndambuki, Archbishop of the Africa Brotherhood Church.
Regarding housing, the President announced that 166 units are under construction in Kitui as part of the Affordable Housing Program, along with 365 units in Wote, 900 in Makindu, and 5,000 in Mavoko.
“Our housing program will change Kenya for good. It is so transformative that in the next 10 to 15 years we will have totally eradicated the problems of slums in our capital city, and Kenya at large,” he asserted.
He noted that, although housing has been featured in the manifestos of various political parties that have been in government over the years, a lack of strong leadership has caused these projects to remain unfulfilled.
“A nation cannot be developed by making convenient political decisions. I will see through this housing program, whatever the consequences might be,” he stated.
President Ruto reported that there are currently over 150,000 housing units under construction nationwide, providing employment for more than 200,000 youths.
On the topic of electricity, he revealed that the government has allocated KSh 5.6 billion to connect over 60,000 households to electricity in the three counties during this financial year.
He also announced that KSh 1.5 billion has been allocated to compensate individuals whose lands were compulsorily acquired for the construction of the Kibwezi-Kitui road.
Additionally, he mentioned that the government has processed 40,000 title deeds for residents in the region and will soon hand them over to the beneficiaries.
Furthermore, President Ruto disclosed that an extra KSh 6 billion has been allocated for the completion of the Thwake Multipurpose Dam, which will address the water needs of the residents in the three counties.
He also conveyed that the government has distributed 6,000 tons of cotton seeds to farmers in the area as part of efforts to revive the sector.
President Ruto urged Ukambani leaders to encourage their constituents to register with the Social Health Authority, highlighting that enrollment in the public medical scheme in the region remains low.
The President stated that registration in Machakos is at 35 per cent of the county’s total population, with figures of 28 per cent in Makueni and 22 per cent in Kitui.
“Do not buy the falsehoods being peddled in the media by politicians that SHA is not working. It is working,” he remarked.
To tackle drug shortages in public facilities, President Ruto announced that a portion of SHA contributions will be directed to the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) for drug purchases.
To enhance efficiency, he mentioned that Kemsa will deliver drugs directly to public hospitals instead of distributing them from county headquarters, a process that has been blamed for delays.
President Ruto expressed gratitude to SHA contributors, stating, “They are making a difference by doing God’s work.”
Later in the year, he noted he would commission a KSh40 billion clinker manufacturing plant in Kitui County.
Also present were Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, National Security Advisor Monica Juma, National Chairperson of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Rahab Mwikali Muiu, Principal Secretaries, MPs, and MCAs.
Others in attendance included Speaker of Kitui County Assembly Kevin Katisya, his Machakos counterpart Ann Kiusya, and former Assistant Minister David Musila.
