Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said the government will complete development projects across all 290 constituencies, including those represented by opposition MPs, insisting that political differences will not determine the distribution of national resources.
Kindiki said the Kenya Kwanza administration was implementing its manifesto across the country to improve livelihoods and ensure all Kenyans benefit from public investment, regardless of their political affiliation.
“This is a government for all Kenyans. There are no wantam or Tutam citizens. We only have Kenyans who have a right to development and delivery of quality services,” he said.
Speaking at Gakindu Centre in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, on Tuesday after inspecting the Gakindu Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market, Kindiki urged opposition leaders to stop mobilising residents against government development initiatives.
He said denying citizens development because of their leaders’ political positions would be unfair, adding that the administration would honour its commitments even in constituencies where elected representatives oppose President William Ruto’s government.
“We are implementing the Kenya Kwanza manifesto page by page, commitment by commitment, project by project,” Kindiki said, dismissing claims that the government had failed to deliver on its promises.
He said development was an obligation to citizens rather than a political reward, citing investments in roads, electricity, markets, housing and other essential services.
“Development is not about politics. We cannot make citizens suffer because of political differences,” he said.
Kindiki said the Gakindu ESP Market was 20 per cent complete and directed that the project be completed by December 31.
He also announced that a new contractor would take over the stalled Mukurweini Central modern market project.
The government is developing 600 modern markets nationally, including 13 fresh produce markets in Nyeri.
Kindiki said the government had invested Sh17 billion in markets, affordable housing and student hostels in Nyeri, with projects worth another Sh5 billion undergoing procurement.
He said electricity access in Mukurweini was being expanded through 16 Last Mile Connectivity projects valued at Sh31 million. Another 16 projects are planned to connect an additional 2,200 households.
On agriculture, Kindiki said the price of subsidised fertiliser had fallen from Sh7,000 to Sh2,500 per 50-kilogramme bag, with a further reduction to Sh2,000 announced for October.
He added that Nyeri had received 13 milk coolers under a national programme that has distributed 230 units, with another 670 ordered for delivery in December.
Kindiki also urged politicians to promote peaceful competition, warning against inciting young people to violence or the destruction of property.
He cited the 2002 presidential contest between Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta as an example of political competition that did not require the destruction of businesses or public infrastructure.
He further called on leaders to unite in tackling illicit alcohol and drug abuse, saying public health concerns should not be politicised.
Kindiki maintained that the government's development agenda was intended to improve livelihoods across the country and challenged critics to assess its performance through projects being implemented in constituencies regardless of their political leanings.
