President William Ruto has reaffirmed his commitment to equitable development across the country, insisting that every region of Kenya will benefit from government projects regardless of political affiliation or voting patterns.
Speaking during a Sunday service and fundraiser at ACK St Martin’s Cathedral in Kitui Town, the President urged Kenyans to embrace unity and work together to accelerate national development.
“The politics of exclusion, division and ethnicity is a stumbling block to our national development aspirations,” President Ruto said.
“We need to transform all parts of Kenya so that every citizen benefits and no one is discriminated against.”
Equal Development for All Regions
The President emphasized that all Kenyans contribute to national development through taxes and therefore deserve equal access to government services and infrastructure.
“No part of Kenya will be marginalised. Even areas that did not vote for me will get their rightful share of development,” he said.
President Ruto was accompanied by Labour CS Alfred Mutua, Principal Secretaries Teresia Mbaika and Jonathan Mueke, several MPs, and former Kitui Senator David Musila.
National Infrastructure Fund to Drive Mega Projects
The President said Kenya had lagged behind many of its peers for decades and called on voters to elect leaders based on their development records and vision.
“Some leaders have been in key Government positions for decades, yet they have little to show in development,” he said.
He highlighted the newly established National Infrastructure Fund as a sustainable mechanism for financing major projects such as dams, roads, and airports.
“We know that this region has a serious water problem. We have been talking about dams for 40 years. We now have a formula, under the National Infrastructure Fund, to deliver these projects,” he said.
According to the President, the fund has already mobilized KSh 350 billion, including KSh 244 billion from the Safaricom government share sale and KSh106 billion from the partial divestiture of the government’s stake in Kenya Pipeline Company.
Thwake Dam and Umaa Dam Projects Revived
President Ruto announced that construction of the stalled Thwake Dam has resumed after the project received KSh10.6 billion in funding.
The project is expected to be completed in April 2027 and will provide water for irrigation, livestock, and domestic use.
He also revealed that the long-stalled Umaa Dam project in Kitui will be revived and completed.
Affordable Housing and Modern Markets
The President said the government has invested KSh15 billion in the construction of 1,000 affordable housing units, 20 modern markets, and student hostels capable of accommodating 6,000 university and college students in Kitui County.
He noted that land challenges that had delayed the housing project have now been resolved.
“We have therefore gotten land to build 1,000 housing units in Manyenyoni,” he said.
Of the 20 planned markets, construction of 11 markets is already underway, while procurement for the remaining nine is ongoing. The government has allocated KSh2.2 billion for the projects.
“We want to make sure that we provide Mama Mboga and other traders with a clean environment, and provide water, electricity and digital hubs,” President Ruto pointed out.
The markets will also feature cold storage facilities and other modern amenities.
More Funding for Education and Teacher Recruitment
On education, the President announced that the sector’s budget has increased from KSh702 billion in the 2025/26 financial year to KSh784 billion in the 2026/27 budget.
The additional funding, he said, is intended to ensure equal educational opportunities for all learners.
The President further revealed that the government has employed 100,000 teachers over the past three years and plans to recruit another 24,000 teachers this year.
“In total, 124,000 teachers will have been hired in four years, five times more than previous administrations had done in a similar period,” he said.
SHA Registration and Healthcare Funding
On healthcare, President Ruto said KSh2 billion has been disbursed to hospitals in Kitui through the Social Health Authority (SHA).
He noted that 31 million Kenyans have registered under SHA, compared to eight million who were enrolled under the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
In Kitui County, approximately 537,000 residents have registered, representing nearly half of the county’s population.
“When you go to hospitals for outpatient services, don’t pay anything. The Government is paying so long as you have registered with SHA,” he said.
Broad-Based Government Meant for Inclusive Development
The President defended the formation of the Broad-Based Government, saying it was designed to foster inclusive growth and ensure no region is left behind.
“As the people of Kitui and Ukambani, this Government belongs to you, as it does to all other Kenyans, and you will get your fair share of development,” he assured residents.
Local leaders praised the President’s development agenda, saying it has benefited regions regardless of political support.
Road Projects to Improve Connectivity
President Ruto began his Kitui tour on Saturday by inspecting the Chuluni-Zombe Road in Kitui East Constituency.
He said the 25-kilometre road, launched in November 2025, is expected to be completed by June 2027 and will improve connectivity between Chuluni, Zombe, and Kitui Town.
Overall, the government is implementing 250 kilometres of road projects in Kitui County, backed by KSh5.5 billion in funding.
The President also inspected the ongoing construction of the Zombe Modern Market, which started in March 2025 and is scheduled for completion in December 2026.
