President William Ruto Starts His Mt Kenya Tour Successfully

President William Ruto has kicked off his highly anticipated five-day tour of the Mt. Kenya region today
(Tuesday, April 1), where he has launched and inspected a series of development projects worth
billions of shillings. This marks his first visit to the region in nearly six months, a significant gap that
underscores the importance of this trip. The tour will focus on several key initiatives aimed at improving
the region’s infrastructure and economic prospects.

The president’s itinerary takes him through nine counties—Laikipia, Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga,
Nyandarua, Murang’a, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Kiambu—where he will oversee important projects that
promise to transform the local economy. From road infrastructure to affordable housing, his agenda
covers a broad range of issues. He’ll be inspecting everything from fresh produce markets to last-mile
electricity connectivity, all aimed at improving the livelihoods of ordinary Kenyans.

A Tour Focused on Growth and Infrastructure
The first day of the tour, April 1, 2025, will see Ruto visiting Laikipia and Nyeri counties. Here, he will
inspect modern fresh produce markets that are at different stages of completion. This initiative is part of a larger Government plan to roll out 500 such markets nationwide, aimed at providing small-scale traders
with sufficient workspace and proper sanitation. This effort is in line with Ruto’s promise to support
traders by giving them a better platform to do business and increase their income.

On the second day, April 2, 2025, the president will visit Meru and Kirinyaga counties, where he will
oversee projects that include the development of new road networks, irrigation systems, and water
supply infrastructure. The government’s focus on these regions speaks volumes about Ruto’s long-term
vision to boost agriculture, a sector that has traditionally been the backbone of Mt. Kenya’s economy.

On April 3, 2025, Ruto’s tour will continue in Nyandarua and Murang’a, where he will assess the progress
of ongoing road construction projects, particularly in rural areas. A notable project on the agenda is the
Mau Mau Road in Lari Constituency, Kiambu County. This road, recently allocated Ksh5 billion, cuts
through the Aberdare and Mt. Kenya forests, connecting Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua, and Nyeri
counties. The completion of this road is expected to drastically improve transportation and trade in these
areas, opening up new economic opportunities for the local population.

On April 4, 2025, the president will head to Tharaka-Nithi and Embu counties, where he will review
County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), which are being developed with a joint investment of
Ksh500 million per county—split between the national and county governments. These parks aim to
boost local industrialization and create jobs in the region. The president will also launch new affordable
housing projects that will provide quality, low-cost housing for thousands of families.

Finally, the tour will conclude on April 5, 2025, in Nyeri and Kiambu counties, where Ruto will review
various completed and ongoing projects. His presence here is expected to boost morale among local
residents and demonstrate his commitment to enhancing development in the Mt. Kenya region.

A Political Address to Mt. Kenya

While the president’s visit is largely focused on development, it also comes at a time when political
tensions in Mt. Kenya are beginning to boil over. Ruto’s relationship with his former deputy, Rigathi
Gachagua, is at the center of this political storm. Many political analysts are keenly watching the
president’s interactions in Mt. Kenya, as it is expected that he will address his increasingly strained ties
with Gachagua.

Ruto and Gachagua, once seen as a formidable political duo, have reportedly been at odds over several
issues in recent months. Some Rift Valley leaders allied to Ruto have openly criticized Gachagua,
accusing him of making divisive remarks that could turn the Mt. Kenya region against the president. With
these tensions brewing, many observers expect Ruto to use this tour to clarify his position and heal any
rifts that could potentially affect his political future.

In a recent engagement with Mt. Kenya-affiliated media houses, Ruto took a swipe at his former deputy,
accusing him of undermining his leadership. The president claimed that Gachagua had caused
unnecessary conflicts with Members of Parliament and other influential figures within State House. Ruto
further alleged that Gachagua had blackmailed him, asking for Sh10 billion to secure political support in
the region. According to Ruto, Gachagua explicitly told him that unless he provided the money, he would
work to ensure that the president served only one term in office.

Ruto didn’t hold back when explaining how he had gone to great lengths to protect Gachagua from
political fallout. He claimed that he had intervened on two separate occasions to prevent Gachagua from
being impeached by Members of Parliament, despite the former deputy president’s controversial actions.
The president’s comments seem to indicate that the rift between him and Gachagua is far from over, and
this tour could be a crucial opportunity for Ruto to set the record straight.

Ruto’s Long-Term Vision for Mt. Kenya
While the political drama unfolds, it’s clear that Ruto’s broader agenda for Mt. Kenya remains focused on
long-term development. The infrastructure projects, affordable housing initiatives, and industrial parks he
is overseeing are expected to have a lasting impact on the region’s economy, creating jobs, boosting
trade, and improving the quality of life for its residents.

Moreover, Ruto’s push for modern fresh produce markets and last-mile electricity connectivity highlights
his administration’s focus on empowering small-scale traders and farmers, the backbone of the Mt.
Kenya economy. By improving these fundamental sectors, Ruto is aiming to leave a legacy of economic
prosperity in the region.

It’s also worth noting that Ruto’s visits are expected to provide a much-needed morale boost to his
supporters in the region. With the next general election still a few years away, the president is positioning
himself as the man who can deliver real change for Mt. Kenya, addressing both economic and political
concerns head-on.

As President Ruto embarks on his five-day tour of Mt. Kenya, he is walking a fine line between
development and political reconciliation. How he manages both will be key to his success, both as a
leader and as a political figure in the years to come. Will he emerge from this tour with a strengthened
position, or will the tensions within his political camp continue to haunt him?