President William Ruto has begun a four-day development tour of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui, with road construction, water supply, last mile electricity connectivity among projects lined up across the counties.

The President kicked off the tour on Saturday in Mbiuni in Mwala Constituency, Machakos County, where he commissioned the KSh1.47 billion Phase Two of the Mwala Cluster Water Supply Project.

The project will supply water to more than 120,000 residents across Mwala, Mbiuni, Oldonyo Sabuk, Makutano, Masii, Kivandini and Wamunyu, among other areas.

Addressing wananchi after commissioning the water project, President Ruto pledged to address persistent water shortages in Ukambani, saying the Government has initiated additional dams in the region to improve water access for domestic use and irrigation.

“We must be deliberate and intentional in addressing water shortages in Ukambani,” he said.

The President pointed out that the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund will enable the Government to build two major dams in the Ukambani region.

“We are waiting for Parliament to approve KSh200 million to expand water access to residents far from the main pipeline,” President Ruto explained.

He said his administration has ensured equal distribution of resources across the country, pointing out that no part of Kenya is being left behind.

He explained this philosophy as “Usawa ni Sawa”, meaning equity for all parts of Kenya.

Additionally, President Ruto said the Government has allocated KSh20 billion for the construction of 10 new roads in Machakos County.

He said another KSh28 billion is being used in the construction of 8,000 affordable housing units, 18 modern markets and hostels to accommodate 6,000 students.

The President stated the old politics of tribalism and discrimination no longer has a place in Kenya.

“Nobody should mislead you that Machakos is an opposition stronghold. Machakos is part of Kenya and, just as we are building roads across the country, this region must also receive its fair share,” he said.

President Ruto noted that he had formed the Broad-Based Government to bring the entire country together.

The President cautioned against efforts to isolate the people of Machakos, Kitui and Makueni along tribal lines, saying they deserve development rather than politics of “tribalism”.

“Usawa ni sawa,” which means Equality is right stressing that fairness and equal treatment must guide national leadership.

He told the residents of the region that voters should not be misled by leaders who, in his words, “have no clear plans for the country” and whose only achievement has been to brand him names.

Cabinet Secretaries Eric Muuga (Water), Alfred Mutua (Labour) and Geoffrey Ruku (Public Service), National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa and several MPs were also present.

APERIT FM, HII NI YETU