'I will not kneel before another human being!' Ruto takes on Mt. Kenya 'gatekeepers'

President William Ruto has castigated political leaders who want to act as gatekeepers for the political direction Central Kenya will take in the next election.

The President said he is working for all Kenyans who gave him a popular mandate in 2022 polls, and not a tiny and corrupt political cartel in pursuit of self-enrichment.

"There are some people who pretend that they have the votes of the people of Mt. Kenya in their pocket, and want me to kneel before them. I want to tell them that I will only humble myself before wananchi and kneel before God, and not another human being!"

He made the remarks at Ciumbu town in Maragua Constituency, Murang’a County, during his second and final day of his working tour of Murang'a County.

Present were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa.

The President called out the political cabal for attempting to restrict the constitutional freedoms of Kenyans to associate freely and make independent choices.

"They want to dictate what songs to listen to, where we will go, and who you will vote for. Ignore them with the contempt they deserve," he said.

He added that the leaders have neither agenda nor vision, and have now resorted to empty sloganeering and insults instead of offering concrete solutions facing Kenyans.

"You elected me to work for you not to kneel before anyone or to wash utensils in someone's house or to be anyone's maid. I am a servant of Kenyans," he said.

During Saturday's events, President Ruto inspected progress of Ciumbu and Saba Saba modern markets in Maragua Constituency, and laid the foundation stone for the Ksh.366 million Kabati Market in Kandara Constituency, which will host over 1,000 traders.

In Kigumo Constituency, the President handed over milk coolers to Kangari United Dairy Cooperative Society and Kinyona Legend Dairy Society.

He also handed over the Ksh.343 million Kangari Modern Market, which will host over 640 traders, and a borehole that is supplying water to the market and will be expanded to the town.

President Ruto later flagged off the rehabilitation of the Kangari-Gichagini-Gacharage and the Kimemu-Gathaini-Gathanji- Kirwara roads in Kandara.

In Gatanga Constituency, the President handed over milk coolers to Kigoro United Dairy Cooperative Society and Gatanga Highland Wakulima Cooperative Society.

In Murang’a County, he said, the government is investing Ksh.27 billion to build 6,800 affordable housing units, 25 markets and hostels for 1,700 college and university students.

On roads, the President said KSh6 billion has been allocated for the county in the 2025/2026 financial year.

Further, he said the government will spend Ksh.1.6 billion to connect 14,000 homes in the county to electricity.

The President assured the residents that all ongoing projects in the county will be completed on time.

President Ruto pointed out that agriculture, the economic mainstay for most families in Mt Kenya region, has recovered as shown by improved coffee cherry prices.

"In 2022, cherry coffee was selling at Ksh.50 a kilo, but today a kilo fetches between Ksh.110 and Ksh.160 in factories in the region," he said.

Thanks to a recent bilateral trade agreement with China, President Ruto said Kenya's agricultural produce, including tea, coffee, macadamia, avocado and milk, among others, can now access China's 1.5 billion consumer market duty-free, quota-free, and urged farmers to take advantage of the arrangement.

DP Kindiki said the work the President has done in Central Kenya and nationally will speak for itself when Kenyans go to the polls next year.

"Your administration is building markets, schools, roads, hospitals, and many other projects across the country, and Kenyans will reward you for your efforts," he said.

Other leaders who were with the President during the day-long development tour were MPs Mary Wamaua (Maragua), Betty Maina (Murang’a Woman Rep), Edwin Mugo (Mathioya), Peter Kihungi (Kangema), Veronica Maina (Nominated), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri Senator), former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, Charles Karondo, Communications Authority of Kenya chairman Charles Karondo, Principal Secretaries, and MCAs, among others.