President William Ruto has assured residents of Western Kenya that the region will not be left behind as the country develops.
Speaking at the burial of the late Malava MP Malulu Injendi in Kakamega County, the President announced the construction of five new roads in the region to spur economic growth.
“You have said you were left behind in the past governments. I will make sure Western will not be left behind in development,” he stated.
Ruto told locals that the region will not be changed if leaders engage in fighting.
“I have said it before, Kakamega will not be changed with noise or chaos. It will be changed with good plans and strategy,” he explained.
His remarks come hot on the heels of an appeal by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to Western politicians to stop fighting in funerals and public events.
The two leaders prevailed on politicians from vote-rich regions to stop the trend that is becoming common in funerals.
Mudavadi asked politicians to be tolerant of one another.
He noted that fierce politics have no room in modern society.
"Stop misusing youths to cause chaos in funerals or public meetings. Chaos will not take you anywhere," Mudavadi urged politicians.
Addressing mourners, Ruto urged leaders from the region to work with his administration to grow the region.
“I ask leaders from here for cooperation. We need to work together to change the region,” he stated.
He said the region will see growth in 2025, stating he used the first two years to set the foundation.
“This will be a year of results. I want to thank the leaders from here, led by the governor Barasa, for agreeing to work with me to transform the region. We have agreed that we must speed up development,” he added.
The President said he will focus on improving the road network, power connections and agriculture to grow the region.
He promised to ensure workers at Nzoia Sugar Company and sugarcane farmers in the region are paid well.
