President William Ruto has announced that Meru town will be elevated to city status, as the government allocates Sh7 billion to redesign the Nithi Bridge, which has long been considered a safety hazard.
Ruto said Meru’s elevation to city status, which would make it Kenya’s sixth city, means the county must meet key infrastructure benchmarks, including modern roads, markets, and a state lodge.
The government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has allocated Sh5 billion for a 10-kilometre road and bypass to support the transition, he added.
Speaking on Sunday at St. Mary’s AIPCA Church, Kathelwa, in Meru County, Ruto said the government is committed to addressing the bridge’s safety concerns, noting that it has been a “death trap” for residents for nearly two decades.
He further announced that Sh2 billion has been set aside for the construction and rehabilitation of roads in Meru.
Additionally, Sh800 million has been earmarked for the construction of 17 modern markets to boost local trade and economic growth.
The President said the government plans to complete a state lodge in Meru by December, as part of preparations for city status.
Ruto also announced a Sh2 billion allocation for rural electrification, targeting 26,000 households in Meru County.
Ruto urged the youth to register as voters so that they can determine the leadership of the country.
The President, however, urged young people to be wary of politicians who want to engage them in endless politicking, saying elections will be held in 2027, two years from now, and not now.
He said the government will continue implementing policies, programmes and projects that transform the country.
Calling on leaders to focus on service delivery, Ruto noted that Kenyans will judge them on election day depending on their track record.
“We will be elected based on the work we will have done. No one will be elected based on how they look, their faith or the community they come from,” he said.
He was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, MPs and MCAs.
He called out his competitors for misleading Kenyans with empty rhetoric and sloganeering instead of presenting a clear agenda and vision for the country.
“When you listen to them, they do not speak about development. Our country has been left behind because of leaders who have specialised in empty rhetoric,” he said.
He called on leaders and Kenyans to reject retrogressive politics characterised by tribalism, hatred, division, short-sightedness and pursuit of power for its own sake.
In the past three years, the President said, the government has laid a solid foundation for the country’s transformation that has been good for Kenya.
He, however, pointed out that it is not adequate and there is need to build on the foundation and take Kenya to the next level.
Ruto cited the setting up of the Infrastructure Fund which would enable Kenya to build as many as 30 mega dams and generate at least 10,000 megawatts of energy, including wind, solar, hydro and nuclear.
On healthcare, Ruto called on Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority to benefit from free outpatient services at public, private and faith-based dispensaries, health centres and sub-county hospitals.
“If you are seeking outpatient services and someone asks you for money, tell them the government has already paid for the services and call the police,” he said.
On development in Meru County and neighbouring counties, Ruto said the government has finalised the Sh7 billion contract for the construction of Nithi Bridge.
“We want to straighten Nithi Bridge so that it stops being a trap where citizens lose lives,” he said.
He further pointed out that Sh11 billion is being spent on affordable housing, fresh produce markets and college students’ hostels in Meru County. Another KSh12 billion will be allocated for the same projects.
“Apart from building affordable housing and 17 modern markets, we are also putting up hostels for 6,000 students in Meru County,” he said.
Ruto also said the government will spend Sh1 billion to upgrade Meru County Referral Hospital to a national referral Level 6.
“We want to ensure residents do not travel to Nairobi in search of quality treatment; it will be available locally,” he said.
Prof Kindiki said the people of Mt Kenya and the country are rallying behind President Ruto to succeed in his national transformation agenda.
“Forget the naysayers who have been selling fear, division and ethnicity,” he said.
Mutuma urged Kenyans to register as voters so they can exercise their democratic right to elect leaders of their choice.
He also urged Meru residents to register with SHA, noting that the public health insurance cover is effective.
“I appeal to you all who have not registered with SHA to register so that we can all have a medical cover,” he said.
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