President Ruto's whirlwind tour of five counties

President William Ruto embarked on a significant tour across five counties last weekend, just a day after unveiling his "broad-based" government.

The extensive tour, spanning from Thursday to Monday, covered areas in Tharaka Nithi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, and Taita Taveta before returning to Nairobi.

In Tharaka Nithi, Ruto inaugurated several projects including the Kibung’a Kakimiki water project, the Marimanti KMTC, Huduma centers at Marimanti and Maara, and the county commissioner’s office at Kathwana.

He also launched a Sh500 million last mile connectivity project.

After concluding his Tharaka Nithi engagements, Ruto flew to Mombasa where he was warmly welcomed by the residents.

At Changamwe roundabout, where he addressed hundreds of residents who turned out, he emphasized the importance of unity among leaders to drive national transformation.

On Friday morning (July 26), Ruto met the newly-appointed Assistant Generals of Police, Eliud Lagat (KPS) and Gilbert Masengeli (APS) at State House, Mombasa where he pledged support for ongoing modernization efforts.

He later oversaw the issuance of grants to the Kenya Marine Fisheries and laid the foundation stone for the Sh50 million Watamu market in Kilifi, part of a broader regional market development initiative.

In Kwale, Ruto inspected several projects including Kinango and Matuga Technical and Vocational Training Colleges, the Mwananyamala industrial park, the 200-unit Matuga affordable housing project, and the Kinondo cotton ginnery.

He also visited the Diani modern market and addressed residents in Likoni.

Ruto continued his tour in Taita Taveta, attending a church service at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), St Peter’s Ngambwa, and later participating in a presidential town hall meeting in Mombasa.

On Monday, he visited Tana River, laying the foundation stone for the ESP market at Bangale and commissioning the Bangale water project before opening an ID registration office at Kone.

On Tuesday, Ruto returned to Nairobi, receiving a report from the presidential Taskforce on religious organisation regulations.

He also inspected ongoing construction at Lenana School Primary and the Talanta sports stadium.

The stadium is set to be completed by the end of 2025 for the AFCON tournament.

On Wednesday, he presided over the bell-ringing ceremony at the Nairobi Stock Exchange, attended the Kabete National Polytechnic centenary celebrations, and later made a tour to State House Girls’ High School.

He was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Governor Johnson Sakaja, and several other MPs.

On Thursday, Ruto held discussions with the Africa Union Panel of Wise, led by former Judge Effie Owuor, at State House.

“Kenya remains steadfast in the South Sudan journey towards the consolidation of peace and security,” said Ruto.

On Friday, he launched the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Tiaty.