'No region will be left behind', Ruto says as he unveils Ksh.56B projects in Ukambani

The President said the country belongs to all Kenyans and they would benefit equitably from the programmes and policies the government is implementing.

Speaking at Eastern Kenya Integrated College in Mitaboni, Machakos County, on Saturday, he said no part of the country will be left behind.

He said even though some leaders in Ukambani had initially pointed out that they were not interested in housing and fresh produce markets, the government is nevertheless rolling out the programmes in the towns and villages of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties.

"I met religious leaders from this region and they convinced the few political leaders that the path they had taken over development was the wrong one," he said.

The President explained that the national transformation underway in all parts of Kenya is also happening in the three counties, and cited Ksh.45 billion that has been set aside for the construction of affordable housing, fresh produce markets and student hostels.

The President said a further Ksh.5.5 billion has been allocated for roads in the region, and another KSh5.5 billion for electricity connection.

"It is not right or fair for any part to remain behind. We are one nation, one people with a common destiny," he said.

President Ruto further said irrigation is the "next frontier" in agricultural transformation, adding that Machakos, Makueni and Kitui would immensely benefit to turn the region's arable land to full production and productivity.

Thwake Dam, which is in the final stages of completion, would be a game changer in the agricultural revolution that would be enabled by irrigation.

"The next frontier for agricultural transformation is irrigation and Ukambani has huge potential," the President noted.

He explained that the government's housing and health programmes, among other initiatives, will take Kenya to the next level of development. 

On education, President Ruto enumerated the strides that have been made in the past three years, saying the government has invested heavily in the sector because "education is an equaliser".

"I can proudly tell you that we have heavily invested in the Competency-Based Education and Training, technical and higher education. We will ensure we fund education adequately because our young people are Kenya's greatest asset," he added.

Eastern Integrated College has applied for a Letter of Interim Authority and charter to offer degree courses, and the Ministry of Education has outlined the process they need to follow.

On other development programmes in the region, President Ruto Ksh.800 million has been invested in the ongoing construction of Kitui Stadium, the venue of this year's Mashujaa Day on October 20.

Additionally, roads in and around Kitui town are also being built, among other roads in region.

Leaders present at the function were Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and MPs Tabitha Mutinda (Nominated Senator), Caleb Mule (Machakos Town), Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga) and Fabian Muli (Kangundo).

Others were former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, MCAs and other county leaders.

Mr Mutua urged the region to rally behind the government, saying the President had chosen to make difficult decisions that have consequently benefited the country in a stable economy