The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious development plan for the Ukambani region, pledging billions of shillings in infrastructure, housing, energy, and market projects aimed at transforming livelihoods across Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni counties.
Speaking at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, President Ruto announced a series of high-impact projects, including the upgrading of Ithookwe Stadium at a cost of KSh 750 million. Similar modern stadiums will be constructed in Machakos and Wote in Makueni beginning next year.
Highlighting progress in the transport sector, the President said the newly built Kitui Airstrip will soon have its terminal building completed. He assured residents that the long-stalled Kibwezi–Mwingi road, which will link to the Garissa road, is back on track and will be completed soon.
Additionally, contractors have already been deployed on the Kyuluni–Nzambani–Mwatiku and Katita–Kyamatu–Mutomo roads, while works on the Kamuwongo road are nearing completion.
The much-anticipated Enziu Bridge, which has been under construction for years, is now scheduled for completion by February next year.
On rural electrification, Ruto announced that KSh 2.2 billion has been allocated to connect 16,500 households across Ukambani. He further revealed that KSh 15 billion has been set aside for affordable housing and modern market projects in Kitui. The national government will take over the management of Kitui Market from the county government, while completion works on Mwingi Market are ongoing.
New markets will also be constructed in Kalundu, Kabati, and Mutomo, with 14 additional markets set to feature cold storage facilities to support farmers and traders.
In the education sector, the Head of State pledged that new hostels will be built in local TVET institutions within the next one year to improve student accommodation.
Turning to water security, President Ruto said the government has allocated KSh 15.9 billion to ensure the completion of the Thwake Dam by April next year, terming the project a game-changer for the entire lower eastern region.
Ruto reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring equitable development across all regions, noting that Ukambani’s development had lagged for too long.
He urged local leaders and residents to work together with the national government to accelerate the implementation of the promised projects.
