President William Ruto, on Saturday, April 22, toured Igembe North, Meru County, to launch the uplift of the Kaelo-Kamukunji-Mutuati Road to bitumen standard, among five other multi-billion projects.
In a meeting hosted by Meru leaders, including Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and Senator Kathuri Murungi, Ruto rewarded the county for voting him in as President.
"I want to say thanks. I am here to fulfill my promise that once we were done with elections, I would return to bring development," Ruto stated, pledging to fulfil the projects.
1. Kaelo-Kamukunji-Mutuati Road
The 10-kilometre road will be built under the supervision of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), which was tasked with managing, developing, rehabilitating and maintaining the road.
"Meru County has about 430 kilometres of roads that we began in the last administration. Around 42 per cent we completed, but around 200 Kilometres were yet to be completed.
"We began a special programme to ensure that the remaining roads are completed. These roads must be completed urgently," Ruto assured.
2. Eight Dams
Ruto offered to complete the High Grand Falls Dam sooner than projected.
Besides the High Grand Falls Dam, Kithino Dam will supply water across the entire Meru town and the surrounding neighbourhood, including Thaka Nithi.
Other dams set for completion included Dhingitu, Kathita, Sirimon, Timau, Nkobu, and Ura, for Ksh30 billion.
3. Kaelo College
President Ruto assured Meru residents that he would elevate Kaelo College, and equip it with state-of-the-art technologies for learning.
He promised that, within one week, government officials from the Ministry of Energy would visit the institution to upgrade electrical technologies.
"We will also be hiring 1,300 TVET tutors this year, and in the coming year, we will employ 2,000 more tutors.
"We are going to double the money that is going to our TVETs and universities, and that means that local institutions will also benefit," Ruto promised.
4. Nyambene Level Four Hospital
President Ruto offered to release Ksh500 million by early May 2023 for upgrading Nyambene Level Four Hospital.
The Head of State observed that the facility lacked the requisite equipment to offer affordable and better services to the area residents.
5. 30 Milk Coolers
Meru County residents will also benefit from 30 milk coolers used to preserve the milk produced by local farmers.
"In partnership with the County Government, we will ensure that the milk coolers reach every part of Meru County," Ruto assured the local farmers.
He also took the opportunity to troll Azimio La Umoja party leader, Raila Odinga, who is pushing for dialogue outside Parliament.
Ruto noted that it was time for him to work for the ordinary people who elected him and would not allow the opposition to drag him behind.
"The way to development is not going to the streets with sufurias on your head and making noise -- the way to development is taking your seeds and going to plant in your shambas and getting your produce," Ruto stated.
