Murang'a leaders welcome Ruto ahead of Mt Kenya visit

Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo, nominated MP Sabina Chege and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at Gikoe market in Mathioya, Murang'a, March 27, 2025. /ALICE WAITHERA

A section of leaders in Murang’a county have welcomed President William Ruto to visit the county as the Mt Kenya region prepares to receive the Head of State next week.

The anticipated President's trip to the region has sparked hot debates on social media particularly considering it's his maiden visit since his fallout with his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

The President fell out of favour with the region that overwhelmingly voted for him soon after the 2022 elections with residents decrying hostile economic conditions. 

The situation was aggravated by the controversial Finance Bill 2023 and the subsequent impeachment of Gachagua whose ouster was seen by the region as a betrayal.

But the leaders who included Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo, nominated senator Veronica Maina, nominated MP Sabina Chege and woman representative Betty Maina insisted that the region is ready to host the President.

Chege reiterated the need for the region to focus on development and tone down on politics, saying elections are still far.

She noted that heightened political temperatures adversely affect the economy and impact Kenyans from all walks of life.

Chege commended the President for intervening in Margaret Nduta's case who is on death row in Vietnam after being convicted for drug trafficking.

“Tell the President that we are very grateful for his intervention that stopped her execution,” she said.

Ruto is expected to start his tour of the Mt Kenya region on April 1.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during an inspection tour of Gikoe market in Mathioya, Murang'a county, March 27, 2025. /ALICE WAITHERA

Nominated senator Veronica Maina on her part noted that construction works on the Mau Mau roads project have resumed.

The project has caused immense suffering to locals especially during the rainy season as contractors left sites after excavating the roads, exposing them to degradation.

“We are sending the Deputy President (Kithure Kindiki) back with one message: That the President is welcome to Murang’a. We want more development in Murang’a,” she said.

Kindiki had visited Gikoe market in Mathioya subcounty whose construction had stalled for years.

Gikoe market, now 80 per cent complete, is one of the Economic Stimulus Project (ESP)14 markets that are being constructed in the county.

The DP assured Murang’a residents that all ongoing development projects would be completed in good time.

“We will complete this market in four or five weeks and afterwards, others will start,” he said.

He said the government is keen on ensuring projects are completed and operationalised so they can serve residents.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addressing residents of Gikoe in Mathioya sub county, Murang'a county, March 27, 2025. /ALICE WAITHERA

The government is also in the process of constructing a Sh342 million modern Kangari market and a Sh100 million Muthithi market in Kigumo constituency, the DP said.

The market started in 2021 is expected to help local farmers consolidate their produce for the export market once complete.

It will be fitted with coolers, eateries, conference halls and modern sanitation facilities.

However, the six-storey market stalled in 2022 alongside Muthithi market, which was started in 2022 and expected to be completed in 2023.

“I have been sent by the President to ensure implementation of projects is expedited so they can serve residents,” Kindiki told Gikoe residents.

He said the role of the government is to ensure Kenyans access services while that of the opposition is to politick.

“Areas not connected to power will be connected and funds are now available to complete Mau Mau roads. Next week God willing, the President will be here and he will not come to play politics. It will be to commission markets, electricity, power and irrigation projects,” Kindiki said.

“We have agreed that for now, let’s stop divisions in the community. Let’s come together as we also seek the unity of the nation,” he said.