NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 11 – President William Ruto has begun a three-day working tour of Nyeri County, the political backyard of his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua,aimed at assessing stalled development projects, inspecting major infrastructure investments, and engaging local leaders on key economic issues.
The President announced on Sunday while attending a church service at ACK St Paul’s Church in Kariki, Othaya.
“I will be here today, tomorrow and the day after. We have a lot of activities planned with local leaders,” Ruto told congregants.
The President will also inspect the ongoing Sh21 billion affordable housing programme spread across Nyeri County, as well as more than 15 ultra-modern markets currently under construction. He is expected to officially open the Karatina Modern Market on Monday.
He said the tour will focus largely on resolving development concerns raised by area leaders and residents, particularly stalled road projects initiated during the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Several of the so-called Mau Mau roads, he noted, were only completed to about 20 per cent before funding constraints halted construction. He said the government has now secured additional resources and works have resumed.
“Many have asked about the roads that we launched during the former administration. Funds became inadequate, but we now have the money and construction is going on,” he said.
Ruto said agriculture will feature prominently during his engagements, with a focus on strengthening dairy and coffee farming two key economic pillars in the region.
He told residents that the government has intensified efforts to secure international markets for Kenyan produce, citing a recent trade engagement with United States President Donald Trump.
On Monday, the President is also scheduled to launch the disbursement of more than Sh500 million under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, targeting at least 10,000 young people from Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Kirinyaga counties.
Each beneficiary is expected to receive about Sh50,000 as start-up capital to support small businesses and entrepreneurship.
The visit marks Ruto’s return to Nyeri nearly a year after his last tour in March 2025. Politically, it is significant because the county is the home turf of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whose fallout with Ruto culminated in his impeachment.
Since then, Gachagua has aligned himself with the opposition and is pursuing a mission to challenge Ruto in the 2027 General Election. He has joined forces with opposition leaders including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa, PLP leader Martha Karua, and Jubilee Party deputy leader Fred Matiang’i.
President Ruto pointed out that politics and falsehoods will not undo the relationship he has with the people of Nyeri County and Mt Kenya region in general.
The President said this friendship is built on a firm foundation anchored in a solid transformation agenda.
He said he is focused on delivering the priority programmes agreed on with the residents of Mt Kenya and the entire country during the 2022 campaigns.
He cited reforms in education and agriculture, support for MSMEs, infrastructure development, and improved power connectivity, among others.
“I know there will be an examination in 2027. Everyone will be evaluated based on the job they will have done,” he said. “We will face those who thrive on insults, falsehood and drama in 2027,” he added.
Present were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, and Nyeri Women Representative Rahab Mukami, among other leaders.
