The government is currently undertaking projects worth more than KSh50 billion in Kiambu County, President William Ruto has announced.
The projects cut across housing, roads and markets which, the President noted, is meant to transform Kiambu County and the country.
Among ongoing projects are 17,000 affordable housing units under construction across the county a cost of KSh43 billion.
This is on top of 8,000 hostels meant for students at public universities, technical training colleges and the Kenya Medical Training College.
Furthermore, the President said KSh5 billion has been allocated to build 29 modern markets, 26 of which are near completion.
“From June, I willl camp in this county, handing over markets to our women traders,” he said during a Sunday service at the Jesus Christ Compassion Ministry in Ruiru.
The service also celebrated the third anniversary of the foundation of the church by Bishop Benson Kamau.
Present were Governor Kimani Wamatangi, ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, among others.
On roads, the President said the government has allocated KSh15 billion to expand road networks in the county.
Furthermore, he stated that the dualling of the Pangani-Kiambu-Ndumberi road would soon begin at a cost of KSh22 billion.
He added that the Kamakis-Kiambu Town road would also be dualled.
The President said he would launch the Museum Hill-Thika expressway in October to solve the persistent gridlock on that section of the Thika Superhighway.
“You people did not ask me for this, but I planned it on my own because we need to eliminate the jam on that road, he said.
Besides giving traders dignified work, he said the government will support them to boost their stock in their new work stations.
President Ruto pledged his financial support to the church’s bursary scheme, empowerment programme for orphans and widows, and in buying the land where church headquarters sits.
“I want to assure you that you can count on my support and partnership for the good work you are doing here at the church,” he said.
President Ruto said JCM’s mission of care and compassion for the vulnerable in society is in line with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
“When we said Bottom-Up, I did not know that the same would apply even in in churches. I have witnessed it today,” he said.
Bishop Kamau urged the President to soldier on with the good work he is doing for Kenyans, saying his projects are evident across the country.
“Continue working for Kenyans. And when you face the giant, tell him when you were not there, I brought the Social Health Authority (SHA), I built roads; I build Talanta Stadium,” he said.
Governor Wamatangi thanked the President for the development programme the National Government is implementing in Kiambu County, including ending the persistent water shortage in Ruiru town.
“Three months after you assumed office, I paid you a visit and shared with you the water issues here. I want to appreciate the work that you did. Even the driest areas of this constituency now have piped water,” he said.
President Ruto called on the leadership of Kiambu County to set aside divisions and work together for the benefit of their people.
“Leaders are elected by the people of Kiambu to work for them. If Kiambu lags behind, we are the ones to be asked. It’s therefore important that we work together,” he said.
Also at the Sunday service were MPs Simon King’ara (Ruiru), Anne Wamuratha (Women Rep), Gabriel Kagombe (Gatundu South), Njoroge Kururia (Gatundu North), John Kawanjiku (Kiambaa), Alice Nganga (Thika), Sabina Chege (Nominated MP), and MCAs, among others.
Later, President Ruto graced the closing ceremony of the Magical Kenya Open Gold tournament at the Karen Country Club in Nairobi.
The President said the competition was more than a tournament – it was a golden opportunity to show the world what Kenya offers.
“We are celebrating more than a tournament; we are celebrating Magical Kenya, a magical tourist destination, and Kenya as an investment destination,” he said.
Present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries Salim Mvurya (Sports), Rebecca Miano (Tourism), snd Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), and Principal Secretaries, among others.
