Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has vowed to sustain the government’s crackdown on illicit alcohol and drugs, warning those banking on his failure that he has a record of delivering on difficult national assignments.
Prof Kindiki said the fight against illicit brews, narcotics and other drugs would be pursued with the same determination that characterised his tenure as Interior Cabinet Secretary, when the government intensified operations against Al-Shabaab militants in Lamu and North Eastern and banditry in the North Rift.
“Those waiting for me to fail in the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs that I’m spearheading in government should know that I have never failed in any national duty entrusted to me,” Prof Kindiki said.
The Deputy President was speaking on Thursday during a development tour of Gatanga Constituency in Murang’a County, where he inspected ongoing works on the Jogoo-Kimakia-Kigio-Kirwara road and addressed residents at Kigio Shopping Centre.
Kindiki also issued a stern warning to contractors accused of delaying government projects, saying he would personally follow up on the implementation of national development programmes.
He said contractors who fail to meet agreed timelines should be prepared to answer for delays as the government steps up supervision of projects across the country.
The visit came as the government outlined a major development programme targeting roads, markets, housing, education and electricity infrastructure in Murang’a.
The government plans to invest about Sh56 billion in the construction and improvement of 1,265 kilometres of roads in the county, a programme officials say is intended to improve connectivity, open up agricultural areas and stimulate economic activity.
The road projects are expected to ease movement of farm produce from Murang’a’s agricultural hinterlands to markets while improving access to schools, health facilities and other public institutions.
The government is also implementing housing and market infrastructure projects estimated at Sh27 billion across the county.
The programme includes 26 fresh produce markets, nine affordable housing projects and student accommodation facilities in eight tertiary institutions.
Gatanga is among the constituencies set to benefit significantly from the programme, with markets planned or under construction at Ndunyu Chege, Gatunyu, Ithanga, Kaguku and Gatura.
The constituency is also benefiting from the Sh5.4 billion Kakuzi Mitubiri Affordable Housing Project, which is expected to deliver 2,000 housing units.
In the education sector, Sh145 million has been allocated for the construction of a 340 bed student hostel at Gatanga Technical and Vocational College.
A further Sh100 million is earmarked for upgrading facilities at Kihumbuini School.
The government is also expanding access to electricity in Murang’a through last mile connectivity projects valued at about Sh1 billion.
The programme is expected to connect an additional 13,000 households and public facilities to electricity, particularly in areas that remain underserved.
Kindiki said the investments were part of the government’s wider strategy to improve living standards while creating an environment for businesses and farmers to thrive.
He also highlighted progress in the rollout of the Universal Health Coverage programme through the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying enrolment in Murang’a had been steadily increasing.
About 460,000 of the county’s estimated one million residents have so far enrolled in SHA, according to the figures presented during the engagement.
The Deputy President said continued enrolment would be critical in ensuring that more families can access healthcare without facing catastrophic financial burdens.
The development tour brought together national and county leaders, with Lands and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome among those accompanying Kindiki.
Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina, Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, Kangema MP Peter Kihungi and nominated MP Sabina Chege also attended the meeting alongside Members of the County Assembly and other leaders.
The leaders expressed support for Kindiki’s new responsibilities in government, particularly his role in coordinating efforts against illicit alcohol and drugs.
The Deputy President’s message on the crackdown came amid heightened government efforts to dismantle networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of illicit alcohol and narcotics.
Kindiki said the government would not be intimidated by those benefiting from the illegal trade, signalling continued enforcement against manufacturers, distributors and other actors in the supply chain.
He linked his approach to the security operations he oversaw while serving as Interior Cabinet Secretary, saying the government had previously demonstrated that determined and coordinated action could confront seemingly entrenched security challenges.
The Deputy President also used the tour to assess the pace of government funded infrastructure projects, insisting that development commitments must translate into completed projects and tangible benefits for citizens.
For residents of Gatanga, the projects present the prospect of improved roads, expanded electricity connections, better learning facilities, new markets and increased access to affordable housing.
The development programme also places agriculture at the centre of Murang’a’s economic transformation, with the planned fresh produce markets expected to provide farmers with better trading facilities and potentially reduce post harvest losses.
The Sh56 billion road programme, alongside the housing, market, education and electricity investments, is expected to form a major component of the government’s development agenda for Murang’a as it seeks to strengthen infrastructure and support local economic growth.
Kindiki said the government would continue monitoring implementation to ensure public resources translate into completed projects and improved services for residents.
