Ruto regime best since Independence

Senior government officials on Friday pitched camp in Ndia constituency, Kirinyaga county, to drum up support for President William Ruto and defend Kenya Kwanza development programmes being implemented across the region.

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The delegation was led by ICT CS William Kabogo, Water CS Eric Mugaa, and Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau.

Speaking during a citizen engagement forum at Kianwe Primary School, Kabogo said the government’s performance over the past three years had surpassed that of previous administrations.

He dismissed criticism from opposition leaders, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing them of opposing key initiatives that have empowered Kenyans, such as the affordable housing programme and the Nyota initiative.

“You cannot fight darkness with darkness. You can only fight darkness with light. Since independence, no other administration has been able to achieve what the Kenya Kwanza administration has achieved,” Kabogo said.

He praised the government for its efforts to revitalise the agriculture sector, resulting in improved prices for major subsectors, such as tea and coffee, and boosting returns for farmers.

With the economy going up, Kabogo said the government will consider reducing taxes to lessen the financial burden on Kenyans.

Mugaa urged government officials to actively defend the administration’s record, citing progress in road construction and water projects as evidence of delivery under the Kenya Kwanza agenda.

Mugaa raised concerns over alcoholism and drugs abuse in the region, saying it has wrecked homes and devastated the local economy.

“We need to have a conversation about this issue and discuss how it can be resolved. Youths make the strongest fabric of any society and need to be in good shape,” he said.

Energy PS Alex Wachira highlighted the last-mile electricity connectivity programme, saying thousands of households in Kirinyaga and surrounding counties had been connected to the national grid, improving economic activity and access to basic services.

He noted that the national government has allocated Sh440 million for power connections in Kirinyaga county, out of which Sh161 million will be channelled to Ndia constituency, which has lower power connections.

The funds, he said, will connect 7, 329 new households with power countywide, pushing power coverage significantly up in line with the government’s plan to ensure 100 per cent connectivity.

Wachira also called on residents to support Ruto’s bid for a second term next year, dismissing the 'Wantam' campaign as lacking a clear development agenda.

Amos Gatheca, the deputy head of Public Service, said the forum provided a platform for government officials to engage with residents and get direct feedback on government services.

“These forums give us a chance to know the challenges Kenyans are facing and how they can be resolved because that’s the role of the government,” he said.

Wanjau said the forum was part of the government’s broader push to decentralise services and take public offices closer to the people, especially in remote areas where access to government services remains a challenge.

The Secretary to the Cabinet said more than 25 government services from various departments were provided to residents during the forum.

These include the Attorney General’s office for land disputes and succession issues, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services to help local students get placement in tertiary institutions, and the department of children.

“This forum was a partnership between the Mercy Wanjau Foundation and the Mt Kenya Caucus. We have treated more than 3,000 patients in the free medical camp and distributed fruits and indigenous trees to residents,” she said.

The citizen engagement forums form part of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s public outreach strategy, launched to promote awareness of flagship programmes under Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

The Beta agenda focuses on affordable housing, agricultural support, small and medium enterprise financing, infrastructure development and expanded access to electricity and clean water as pillars for boosting grassroots economic growth.

Also present at the Ndia forum were Public Health PS Mary Muthoni, Correctional Services PS Dr Salome Muhia, Children Services PS Careen Agengo, Gender PS Ann Wang’ombe and several chairpersons from government boards and parastatals, who offered on-the-spot services and information to residents.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The forum was part of the government’s broader push to decentralise services and take public offices closer to the people, especially in remote areas where access to government services remains a challenge. More than 25 government services from various departments were provided to residents during the forum.