The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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President William Ruto has pledged that the Lower Eastern region—comprising Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties—will receive its fair share of national resources and development opportunities.
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Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during a meeting with over 1,500 professionals and grassroots leaders from the three counties, President Ruto affirmed his commitment to inclusive national development, saying, “Ukambani will not be left behind. We shall move forward together as one nation.”
The meeting was also attended by prominent religious leaders including Catholic Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua, AIC Presiding Bishop Abraham Mulwa, and Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki of the Africa Brotherhood Church.
Key Announcements:
- Affordable Housing: Ongoing projects include 166 housing units in Kitui, 365 in Wote, 900 in Makindu, and 5,000 in Mavoko. President Ruto underscored housing as a transformative agenda to eliminate urban slums over the next decade.
- Electricity Access: KSh5.6 billion has been allocated to connect over 60,000 households to the power grid in the region this financial year.
- Infrastructure and Compensation: KSh1.5 billion has been earmarked to compensate residents affected by the construction of the Kibwezi-Kitui road.
- Land Rights: The government has processed 40,000 title deeds for local residents, with plans to distribute them soon.
- Water Supply: An additional KSh6 billion has been allocated for the completion of the Thwake Multipurpose Dam to improve water access across the region.
- Agriculture: 6,000 tons of cotton seeds have been distributed to support the revival of the cotton industry.
- Healthcare: Ruto urged residents to enroll in the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting low registration rates—35% in Machakos, 28% in Makueni, and 22% in Kitui. He assured that SHA is functional and effective.
- Drug Distribution Reform: To resolve supply delays, drugs will now be delivered directly to public health facilities instead of through county depots.
- Upcoming Investment: A KSh40 billion clinker manufacturing plant is set to be launched in Kitui later this year.
President Ruto emphasized the importance of consistent leadership and rejected the notion of making development decisions based solely on political convenience.
He thanked SHA contributors for their role in improving healthcare delivery, describing their contributions as “doing God’s work.”
