On the warm morning of March 31, 2025, President William Ruto was warmly greeted by locals as he commenced his much-anticipated tour of Central Kenya, specifically targeting the vibrant Mt. Kenya region. This five-day journey is not just a ceremonial visit but a comprehensive review and inauguration of pivotal infrastructure and health projects.
With him on this ambitious tour are notable figures such as Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and a host of local governors and leaders. Their itinerary is packed, including stops in nine significant counties: Nyeri, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Embu, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, and Murang’a. It makes one wonder: How often do such administrative adventures help bridge the gap between governance and grassroots needs?
Here’s the crux of the visit. President Ruto aims to focus on the backbone of any thriving community: sustainable infrastructure and robust healthcare. Imagine the anticipation as road networks, electricity grids, water supply upgrades, and improved health facilities come to life, each promising a better tomorrow for the region’s residents. And as we know, in development, every step forward is often heralded with as much skepticism as enthusiasm.
On Tuesday, the President’s robust agenda will take him through Laikipia West’s Rumuruti, to Nanyuki in Laikipia East, and further to Narumoru in Nyeri’s Kieni Constituency. His journey continues to Meru and Kirinyaga the following day. If only these places, teeming with stories of hope and struggle, could speak.
However, no political narrative is without its tensions. This tour unfurls amidst a backdrop of political friction, following the high-profile impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In a candid, late-night interview from the historical Sagana State Lodge, President Ruto offered his perspective on the unfolding drama.
“His downfall, in my view, was his own doing,” Ruto candidly stated, placing the onus on Gachagua. It’s quite a revelation, especially when he highlighted contentious issues such as Gachagua’s neglect of duties in favor of unending power struggles with officials, even reaching as far as high-profile bloggers like Dennis Itumbi. “He was always fighting, always dissatisfied,” Ruto exclaimed, with the weary tone of someone who tried, albeit in vain, to mediate peace.
One might wonder, could this myriad of disagreements have been avoided? Gachagua, for instance, had brazenly requested Ksh10 billion to ‘resolve issues’ in Mt. Kenya, threatening Ruto’s political longevity if denied. Such claims certainly add layers to the political intrigue.
Gachagua’s response, fiery as ever, came swiftly across the digital sphere. “I weep for my country, Kenya,” he tweeted, shrouding his rebuttal in accusations of deception leveled squarely at Ruto. Each word dripped with an intensity that turns any observer into a participant in this ongoing saga.
Nonetheless, amid this whirlwind, Ruto stands confident. “My relationship with Mt. Kenya isn’t a political convenience; it is a history,” he says, almost inviting us to trace the path of his longstanding allegiance with the region. Indeed, there’s a sense of earnestness when he speaks of decades, rather than years, spent forging these ties.
The President’s agenda during this tour further assures that the Mt. Kenya region remains a jewel in Kenya’s developmental crown. There’s a genuine commitment to addressing infrastructure needs, a fact underscored by the launch and evaluation of multimillion-dollar projects crafted for small traders, farmers, and businesses. Take, for instance, the modern fresh produce markets which are a cornerstone of the broader national strategy aimed at building 500 markets countrywide.
Yet, these efforts aren’t without critics. Detractors have accused Ruto of neglecting the region, an allegation he robustly denies. “I have always honored my commitments,” he counters, citing progress on critical projects like the Marua-Wamunyoro road. His approach is to leave behind a legacy measured not by words but by tarmac, pipelines, and markets.
Finally, in a move that underscores his staunch belief in accountability, Ruto addressed the dismissal of Justin Muturi, not shying away from calling out incompetence. One can’t help but draw parallels with lessons of leadership and accountability echoed in Kenyan boardrooms and beyond.
As Ruto presses on with his tour, the echoes of development, accountability, and political maneuvering swirl around him, shaping history and futures alike.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
