Ruto pledges billions for roads, markets and power projects in Kirinyaga

President William Ruto has pledged to implement development projects worth billions in Kirinyaga County.

The President who spoke during his visit to the county on Saturday said his administration has set aside Sh500 million to connect over 7,000 households to power.

Ruto said the power projects will benefit all constituencies under the last mile connectivity programme that had stalled for some time but has since been revived.

“Tunataka kila nyumba ipate stima ndio kuwe na mwangaza na tuweze kufukuza shetani (We want each house to have power so that we can be able to kick out the devil),” the President said.

Ruto noted that he has secured a loan from the Chinese government that will fund the construction of Mwea-Gichugu Road.

Ruto was accompanied by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, some members of his cabinet and other Kenya Kwanza leaders.

The President said Muthithi-Kagio-Baricho-Gatuya Road is also set to be upgraded.

He said he will visit the county in about two months to launch its construction.

The national government will also construct 11 new markets in Kirinyaga county at a cost of about Sh900 million.

The markets will be installed with cold rooms that will reduce wastage for traders, WiFi and nursing rooms for mothers with young children.

“We want to ensure every Mama Mboga works in an environment that has water, toilets and is hygienic,” he said.

The President also confirmed that the affordable housing project being established at Gichugu will be completed by December this year.

He said Another set of 5,000 units will be constructed soon adding that the procurement process is ongoing.

The President said the aim is to ensure locals benefit from jobs and the affordable houses once they are complete.

He instructed MPs to ensure they establish digital hubs in all wards in the next four months to provide a platform for youths to access from digital jobs.

“We want those digital hubs established because we have already negotiated for digital jobs,” he told Kirinyaga residents.

Governor Anne Waiguru lauded the President saying the projects will create employment for thousands of locals and enhance the economy.