President William Ruto concluded a four-day working tour of Western Kenya counties with a pledge to equitable and inclusive development across the country.
He said he will continue pursuing affirmative action policies to support regions of the country that have lagged behind in national development.
Speaking during a church service at the African Divine Church (ADC) at Gamalenga in Hamisi Constituency, Vihiga County, on Sunday, he said: “Vihiga has lagged behind in national development for long and, working with your leaders, we will transform this county.”
Present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Vihiga Governor Wilbur Otichillo, Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) and Deborah Barasa (Environment), MPs and MCAs, among other leaders.
Ruto outlined some of the projects the government is undertaking in Vihiga to raise living standards in the county.
On electricity, he said Sh1 billion has been set aside to connect 15,000 homesteads in the county by June 2026.
Additionally, the government has allocated Sh900 million for a new stadium at Kidundu whose construction will start in January 2026.
“Just as we completed the stadium in Kitui within six months, we shall complete yours within the same timeframe,” he said.
Furthermore, the President pointed out that the government will build 10,000 affordable housing units in the county, saying the State Department of Housing has already advertised the first 1,000 units each in Hamisi, Majengo, Mbale, Luanda and Chavakali.
He explained that the Affordable Housing Programme is suited for a region like Vihiga County where high population pressure has led to severe land fragmentation.
“If there is a county in need of affordable housing, it is Vihiga because of land fragmentation. If we continue sub-dividing land, we won’t have enough land to grow food in the near future,” he said.
Additionally, the President said the government is also building 10 fresh produce markets in Vihiga at a cost of KSh2 billion to provide traders with a dignified working environment.
On Saturday, the President launched the construction of 340-bed student hostel at Ebukanga Technical and Vocational College in Emuhaya, Vihiga County.
He also launched the construction of the 33km Shamakokho-Kaimosi-Mpaka-Mululu-Museno-Malinya road connecting Vihiga and Kakamega counties.
At the church service, President Ruto announced that 266,000 of Vihiga County’s 589,000 residents are registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), and urged those who have not registered to do so and benefit from free and insured public healthcare.
He called on MPs to support the proposed National Infrastructure Fund, which will be tabled in Parliament soon, saying it is needed to raise resources to fund critical infrastructure projects that will unlock Kenya’s true potential.
He called on Kenyans to shun naysayers who predict doom about Kenya’s future.
“We have what it takes to take Kenya from a Third World country to a First World nation in our lifetime,” he said.
“Shame on you. Kenya is not a failed nation. We believe in God, and we believe in ourselves and we will prosper.”
Mudavadi called on the people of Western Kenya to rally behind Ruto under the broad-based government, saying they assured of continued national development.
“You have an opportunity to be in government. The moment you walk out, other people will occupy our position very quickly,” he said.
He commended the African Divine Church for partnering with the government in the delivery of critical services such as health and education.
At the same time, Ruto fulfilled his pledge to gift Archbishop John Chabuga with a vehicle for his pastoral work.
On his part, the Archbishop urged followers of ADC and all Kenyans to enrol in SHA in greater numbers.
He also called on young people to apply for national identity cards and register as votes in order to shape the destiny of their country by participating in the 2027 general elections.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
