All is not lost - Ruto vows to complete stalled projects in Taita Taveta

President William Ruto has promised to complete stalled government projects in Taita Taveta County.

The president on Sunday said some of the projects were budgeted in the rejected Finance Bill and will therefore their completion is likely to delay.

Addressing a roadside rally in Bura, Mwatate constituency, Ruto said that his administration had budgeted to fund the connection of electricity in the county, and the completion of stalled water and road projects among others.

The head of state however promised the residents that he would still push for allocation of resources to complete the projects.

"Some people who wanted us to fail. They incited Kenyans to reject a bill that would see completion of these projects. Although all is not lost, I am committed to completing development projects in this region," Ruto said shortly after attending a church service at ACK Ng'ambwa.

However, he said, the current situation has allowed him to restart again and bring everybody on board for the prosperity of the country.

He said that the restructuring of his cabinet will ensure that the government is more inclusive and that every region is represented.

"As a democratic nation, we should raise above party and ethnic politics for our country to move forward. That is why I have decided to form a more inclusive government as many Kenyans have requested," he said.

Earlier on Sunday morning, Ruto presided over the handing over ceremony of a new school bus to Kombolio Secondary School in Mwatate.

Ruto has further promised a number of goodies to the residents on his last day of a four-day development tour of the Coast region.

They, include the construction of 2,000 affordable houses in Voi and Wundanyi, and the construction of at least 3,000 hostel units for students in Taita Taveta University, Taita Taveta National Polytechnic and Mwatate Technical Polytechnic.

"I will be here next month to launch construction of 1,500 hostel units at Taita Taveta University, 1,00 units for Taita Taveta National Polytechnic and 600 Mwatate Technical Polytechnic," the head of state said.

Ruto was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Senate Speaker Amson Kingi and Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime.

Other leaders included legislators Peter Shake (Mwatate), Danson Mwashako (Wundanyi), Khamis Chome (Voi) and woman representative Lydia Haika among others.

The president revealed that he has set aside Sh500 million for electricity connection in Mwatate.

This, he said, would see at least 10,000 new residents connected to the grid in the first phase of the project.

"Power should not be a preserve of the rich people. These projects will see more people connected with electricity," he said.

Further, Ruto said the government is committed to creating more gainful opportunities for the youth to enable them to contribute their talents, expertise and knowledge for the economic growth of the country.

He said his administration has secured at least 400,000 job opportunities abroad to ensure that more unemployed youths get employment.

"Leaders have an obligation to mobilize the youth to seize these opportunities. At least 1,000 youths are leaving the country every week for overseas jobs," he said.

Mwatate MP Peter Shake in his remarks defended his decision to support the contested Finance Bill noting that it had good allocations for projects in the region.

He noted that the county leaders have decided to support the government, lauding President William Ruto for choosing new cabinet secretaries from the coastal region.

"We have been in opposition for a long time. This time round we have decided to join the government so that our region can benefit as well," the Jubilee legislator said.

Women rep Lydia Haika asked the president to hold a meeting with the county leader and the county's council of elders to solve some of the issues bedevilling the region.

She said, for example, the mining sector has not benefited many residents despite the region being rich in different precious stones.