Mt Kenya East region will reap handsomely from President William Ruto’s administration, with many development projects worth billions of shillings set for completion and others earmarked for commencement.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Friday assured residents from the region that they will not be left behind in revival of stalled roads, expansion of electricity, construction of new markets and County Agricultural and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), major water projects and in boosting main agricultural sectors key to the economic growth of the area.
Speaking when he hosted over 10, 000 leaders, grassroots representatives, professionals and opinion shapers from Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Embu counties at his home in Irunduni, Mukothima Ward in Tharaka Nithi, the DP said he will ensure the region benefits immensely from the array of development programs the Ruto administration is rolling out across the country.
“In Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi, we have 10 or more roads in each county that have stalled. Some of them were started in 2014 but stalled along the way because of a lack of funds. It is wrong to lie to the people that the roads were started by President Ruto.“When they stalled, nobody incited the public against the then President but are now up in arms. I have bad news for them and other detractors: the government of Kenya now has money to revive and complete all stalled roads in the region and across the country. Over the next two years, it will be our business to ensure they are completed,” assured Prof. Kindiki.
Apart from roads, the government is expanding electricity connection in the three counties in a bid to power up more homes and businesses and stimulate local economies.
“We have enough money for an electricity connection. Some places in Tharaka Nithi, Mbeere, lower Imenti, Igembe and Tigania are still not well connected to electricity. We are focusing on working on this to make sure more of the people have power,” DP said.On top of this, the cotton sector, which was once a lucrative endeavor in the region, is being revived, as well as sunflower farming.
The government has already doubled the gate prices for miraa, which is a key source of income for many farmers in the region.
