Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has challenged leaders who previously held public office to explain what they did for Gatundu North, as he defended the government’s development record and highlighted ongoing projects in the constituency.

Kindiki said residents should demand accountability from politicians seeking their votes, arguing that those who held leadership positions in the past must explain their contribution to the area’s development.

“Anyone seeking votes who comes here should explain what they did for Gatundu North. Those who held leadership positions in the past must explain what they did for the people,” Kindiki said.

He spoke on Wednesday during an inspection of development projects in Gatundu North Constituency, Kiambu County, where he said the government was accelerating ongoing projects while initiating others under its development agenda.

The Deputy President said the administration was working to address historical development inequalities and ensure that no region was left behind.

“This Government has put an end to the discrimination against different parts of Kenya. We have said that equality must be upheld and every part must be developed,” he said.

Kindiki argued that projects being implemented in Kiambu were also being undertaken in other parts of the country, including the Coast and Meru, as the government pursued what he described as equitable transformation.

“What is being done in Kiambu is also being done in Meru and what is being done in Central Kenya is also going on in the Coastal region and other areas across the country. That is how we will build a better country where no citizen feels discriminated against or left behind,” he said.

Among the major projects highlighted during the visit was the 67-kilometre Thika–Magumu Road, one of the Mau Mau roads traversing the constituency.

Kindiki said the project had been revived and was progressing towards completion following an allocation of Sh3.4 billion.

He acknowledged that Gatundu North had lagged behind in road infrastructure and other development areas, saying the government was working to address the shortfall.

“In the past, Gatundu North was left behind in matters of roads and development. We are addressing the historical inequalities that have caused some areas, including Gatundu North, to lag behind,” he said.

The constituency is also benefiting from the government’s affordable housing and modern markets programmes.

The Kanyoni Economic Stimulus Programme market, whose construction is valued at Sh65 million, is 75 per cent complete, while work is progressing at Gatukuyu Market, valued at Sh56 million.

Construction is also underway at Kamwangi Economic Stimulus Programme Market, which has an allocation of Sh380 million.

Kindiki said the markets were intended to provide traders with better working conditions and improve their business environment.

“We want our mothers to have a decent place to conduct their businesses, away from the sun, dust and mud, and to move into a modern market where they can do business with dignity,” he said.

The government has also allocated Sh320 million to Mang’u Technical Training Institute for the construction of student hostels.

In addition, Sh65 million has been set aside for last-mile electricity connections intended to reach 700 households in the constituency.

Kindiki said the projects formed part of a wider effort to improve living standards and expand access to infrastructure and economic opportunities.

He maintained that development was being pursued across Kiambu County and other parts of Kenya, insisting that the administration’s objective was to improve the lives of citizens regardless of their location.

The Deputy President also renewed the government’s warning against those involved in the manufacture and distribution of illicit alcohol, describing the trade as a threat to the country’s future.

He said authorities would intensify efforts to disrupt the production, transportation and supply of illegal and toxic brews.

“This time round, there is no escape route. We will come for you, we will find you, and we will deal with you. We will cripple your ability to manufacture, transport and supply drugs and dangerous, illicit and toxic brews. We will come for you, and we will disable your operations,” Kindiki said.