President William Ruto with leaders from Ukambani at State
House Nairobi on March 27, 2025.President William Ruto is scheduled to embark on a development tour of Ukambani region next month.
The trip is aimed at addressing crucial issues affecting the region.
The tour follows a critical meeting held on Thursday at State House, Nairobi, attended by Kenya Kwanza lawmakers and top government officials from Ukambani.
Talks centered on government development projects as well as assessment of achievements and areas requiring acceleration.
“The meeting discussed government development projects and took stock of what has been achieved so far and what needs to be accelerated,” Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said.
According to Mutua, Ruto expressed intent in engaging with community leaders from Ukambani in April, "which will be followed by a highly anticipated tour of Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties".
During the visit, the President aims to reinforce collaboration among local leaders and emphasise their commitment to delivering essential services and development for the people of the region.
“We must work as a cohesive team to deliver services and development to Wananchi,” Ruto emphasised during the meeting.
Notably, the President approved an investment of Sh5.2 billion specifically for road projects in Ukambani in the upcoming budget.
Roads Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, who was also present at the meeting, assured that payment of contractors with pending projects in the region would be expedited to ensure work resumes "immediately" before the President's visit.
Another prominent focus of the discussions was the establishment of higher education institution in Makueni county.
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse highlighted the priority by requesting the President to grant a university charter to South Eastern Kenya University in Wote.
“Very soon, he will be coming to Makueni to officiate it so that our people can have their own university,” Mutuse stated.
The establishment of a local university is seen as a monumental step in providing education and opportunities for the youth of Makueni.
In addition, Mutuse advocated for the allocation of funds in the upcoming budget for vital infrastructure, specifically promoting the tarmacking of the Emali-Ukia road.
This critical transportation route is expected to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth for local communities.
The meeting also addressed the need for unity among local leadership.
“All of us - the MPs, Senators, PSs and the Cabinet Secretary - going forward, we shall be working in unity to realise development for our people,” Mutuse remarked.
The resolve to overcome previous leadership wrangles marks a new chapter for Ukambani, where collective action can unlock the region’s potential and address longstanding issues.
In Kitui county, second-term UDA MP Nimrod Mbai announced plans for the tarmacking of the Chuluni-Zombe-Mwitika-Endau Road, further underscoring the administration’s focus on improving infrastructure across the region.
Those in attendence at the meeting were CS Mutua, Principal Secretaries Jonathan Mueke and Terry Mbaika, National Security Adviser Monica Juma, nominated senators Tabitha Mutemi and Beth Syengo, as well as MPs Mutuse, Mbai, Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), Caleb Mule (Machakos Town), Fabian Kyule (Kangundo), Rachel Kaki (Kitui South) and Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga).
Ruto is on April 1 also expected to visit the larger Mt Kenya region on a development tour.
