Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has defended the government’s development agenda, saying equitable distribution of national resources is critical to addressing historical marginalisation and narrowing regional inequalities.
Prof Kindiki said skewed allocation of public resources had contributed to uneven development across the country, undermining efforts to build a united and cohesive society.
Speaking during a development tour of Taita Taveta County on Monday, November 9, 2026, the Deputy President said the administration of President William Ruto was committed to ensuring that all regions benefited fairly from national investments.
He said the government was implementing infrastructure projects worth billions of shillings in the county, which has historically lagged behind in development.
According to Kindiki, 243 kilometres of roads are under construction at a cost of Sh16.5 billion, while Sh7.8 billion has been allocated to affordable housing, markets and student accommodation projects.
He added that Sh950 million had been committed to last mile electricity connections targeting an additional 9,498 households.
The Deputy President further announced that the newly established National Infrastructure Fund would provide financing for the long awaited Mzima II water project and other critical water infrastructure requirements in the county.
During a public engagement in Taveta Town, residents presented a raft of development concerns, including the tarmacking of town roads, resolution of historical land disputes and reopening of the Taveta Land Registry.
They also called for the establishment of a rice milling factory, improvement of facilities at Taveta and expedited recognition of the Pare community as a distinct minority group in Kenya.
Kindiki subsequently inspected the construction of Kimala Senior School at Rekeke in Taveta Constituency, an integrated comprehensive institution expected to expand access to secondary education.
The Taveta National Government Constituencies Development Fund has committed Sh93 million towards a tuition and administration block, while the national government will finance dormitories and a borehole.
The school is expected to be completed by March 2027.
He also inspected the construction of student hostels at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Taveta Campus, where the Housing Fund is investing Sh220 million in accommodation facilities with a capacity of 580 beds.
The project forms part of a nationwide programme targeting 180,000 student hostel beds to improve access to decent and affordable accommodation near universities and tertiary institutions.
In Voi Constituency, Kindiki visited Ikanga Lebanon village, where a Sh10 million rural electrification project has been completed, connecting 270 households to the national electricity grid.
Resident Mary Kulola welcomed the development, saying access to electricity would enable children to study more conveniently and improve their educational prospects.
The Deputy President also inspected construction works at Voi Modern Market as the government pushes to expand trading infrastructure and improve economic opportunities for local traders.
He was accompanied by Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, Woman Representative Haika Mizighi, Taveta MP John Bwire, Mwatate MP Peter Shake, Voi MP Khamis Chome, former governor John Mruttu, former Woman Representative Joyce Lay, MCAs and other grassroots leaders.
