NYERI, Kenya – President William Ruto has insisted that politics, insults, and falsehoods will not undo his relationship with the people of Nyeri County and the wider Mt Kenya region, saying the bond is firmly anchored on a shared development and transformation agenda.
Speaking during a church service at ACK St Paul’s Church Kariki in Othaya, the President said his administration remains focused on delivering the priority programmes agreed with Kenyans during the 2022 election campaigns, dismissing political noise as distractions.
“This relationship is built on a firm foundation of transformation. Politics and falsehoods will not change that,” President Ruto said.
He acknowledged that the next major political test will come in 2027, saying leaders will be judged purely on performance.
“I know there will be an examination in 2027. Everyone will be evaluated based on the job they will have done. We will face those who thrive on insults, falsehoods and drama then,” he said.
The President highlighted reforms in education, agriculture, MSME support, infrastructure development, and power connectivity as key pillars of his administration’s agenda.
President Ruto said the government continues to reform the education sector to enhance access and quality, noting that education funding has increased, school capitation is being released on time, and 100,000 teachers have been hired in the past three years.
“Education is the biggest empowerment any society can give to its citizens,” he said.
On youth empowerment, the President cited the Affordable Housing Programme, digital jobs, overseas employment opportunities, and the rollout of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme as transformative initiatives for young people.
In agriculture, President Ruto said the government has secured sufficient fertiliser for the upcoming planting season and reduced the cost of sexed semen from KSh8,000 to KSh1,400, easing the burden on dairy farmers.
He also announced progress on international market access, revealing that Kenya is finalising a bilateral trade agreement with China for coffee, tea and avocados, while a draft trade deal with the United States is ready.
The President noted that coffee prices have significantly improved from KSh70 three years ago to between KSh110 and KSh150, attributing the gains to reforms such as the elimination of brokers.
On milk production, he said reforms at the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) are underway to ensure farmers are paid promptly.
President Ruto announced that 600 kilometres of Mau Mau roads are being completed, with KSh2 billion allocated for Lot 3, connecting Othaya, Kieni and Tetu constituencies. He said all pending bills owed to contractors for the 2021/23 period have been settled, and the road will be completed before the end of the year.
He further revealed that KSh21 billion has been allocated to Nyeri County for affordable housing, construction of 15 modern markets, and hostels for 7,000 students.
On healthcare, the President said Mwai Kibaki Referral Hospital in Othaya has been gazetted as an independent national facility and will receive medical equipment worth KSh1 billion.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said President Ruto is running an inclusive government that reflects national unity.
“Mr President, continue uniting our country and giving us an inclusive government. You will help us get to the next level,” Kindiki said.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga urged leaders to distinguish between politics and service delivery.
“There is a time to campaign and a time to serve. Everything else is hullabaloo whose time will come in 2027,” he said, adding that he supports the President’s development agenda.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe praised the President for appointing him despite past political differences, saying it demonstrated wisdom and commitment to national unity.
“That, ladies and gentlemen, is wisdom, and I pray our people can see it,” Kagwe said, urging Kenyans to elect leaders with proven track records.
Also present were Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, and other leaders.
