President William Ruto on Thursday toured Tharaka Nithi county launching projects and programmes in water, energy, health, roads and infrastructure.
The projects he launched included Marimanti Kenya Medical Training College and Natasha Maken, a memorial outpatient block at Kibugua Health Centre.
“We want to make health not only available for those who can afford it but universally available for every citizen in Kenya. That is why we have changed laws and implemented a broader and bigger plan in matters of health through the Universal Health Coverage,” he said.
Ruto pledged Sh30 million towards equipping KMTC Marimanti and Sh150 million towards the construction of a hostel in the institution.
He committed another Sh250 million towards the completion of the outpatient block at Kibugua Health Centre, which is 40 per cent complete.
The President commissioned the Kibung’a Kakimiki Water Project in Marimanti to improve supply in Tharaka constituency.
The project, which consumed Sh100 million in its first phase, will benefit from Sh180 million for phase II and Sh220 million boost later to expand and improve its connectivity, which spans eight towns in the constituency.
Ruto oversaw the handing over of Kirumi Kia Mujari water project worth Sh90 million to a new contractor.
In the energy sector, the President commissioned the Last Mile Connectivity programme in the county worth Sh500 million, which will see 8,000 new connections.
“We have eight contractors to ensure rural electrification so every household and resident in the county is connected to electricity in our Last Mile Connectivity programme. We want to connect as many people as possible in Tharaka Nithi county,” Ruto said.
In infrastructure and housing projects, he announced the government’s plan to build five new modern markets in the county.
Ruto said Sh450 million has been allocated for the construction of modern structures in major towns, which include Chuka and Chogoria that have been allocated Sh350 million and Sh170 million, respectively.
The President also disclosed Kathwana Prison will be relocated to Kabariange to pave the way for the construction of housing units to accommodate government and public service employees working at the county headquarters.
To address the issue of stalled county government offices in Kathwana, Ruto announced a partnership between his administration and the Tharaka Nithi government. He said the national government will commit Sh100 million and the county government will allocate Sh150 million to complete the project.
Ruto also commissioned the newly constructed Huduma Centres in Kathwana, Marimanti and Maara.
He also announced completion of major roads such as Chuka-Kaareni, Keria-Magutuni and Weru-Mutindwa.
“For the actualisation of projects, we must unite as a country and work together. A government that unites all Kenyans for development is our main agenda. There is no need for violence, chaos and deaths in this country. Let us unite towards the prosperity of the nation and protect this nation,” the President said.
Interior CS nominee and former Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki thanked the President for stabilising the country’s economy and lowering the cost of living.
He urged Ruto to honour his pledges to Tharaka Nithi residents.
“Even as we remind the President to scale up development in the county, we are hoping in the remaining part of this term you will actualise and deliver on the promises made to the people of Tharaka Nithi. We have an opportunity in this country to progress now that we have a united government,” Kindiki said.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki reminded the President of his commitment towards the reengineering of the killer Nithi bridge.
“Thank you for visiting Tharaka Nithi, which has maintained peace even as we witnessed trouble in other parts of the country. We are happy that you have now started delivering on promises made to the people and we believe, through Parliament, funds can be made accessible to facilitate the reengineering of the Nithi bridge as promised,” he said.
Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki urged Ruto to see to the construction and completion of Kajogu and Thambo dams in the county.
He emphasised on the need to have stalled projects such as the Keria-Magutuni-Makutano road completed.
Other leaders present included Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Senator Mwenda Gataya, Woman Representative Susan Ngugi, Tharaka MP George Murugara, former Chuka University vice chancellor Erastus Njoka and National Cereals and Produce Board chairman Samwel Ragwa.