President William Ruto. File Photo. 
By Andrew Mbuva and Ryan Mumo
President William Ruto begins his much-anticipated five-day development tour of Ukambani tomorrow, a visit seen as both an economic and political charm offensive aimed at winning over a region that has remained steadfastly loyal to the opposition.
The visit — which had been postponed several times, the most recent delay following the death of ODM leader Raila Odinga — will see the Head of State traverse Makueni, Kitui, and Machakos counties to commission completed projects, launch new ones, and meet regional leaders at the newly constructed State Lodge in Kitui.
According to Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, the President’s tour is expected to focus heavily on infrastructure, housing, education, and land ownership — sectors that have long defined Ukambani’s development agenda.
The President will kick off the tour in Masokani, where he will officially open the Mikuyu bridge which links Kilome and Kaiti Constituencies — a key project that had stalled for years before being revived under his administration.
He will later head to Kibwezi, where he is set to launch the long-awaited Emali–Ukia Road, a project that has been promised by successive administrations since the Kenyatta era.
In Emali, the President is expected to address land ownership challenges by issuing over 2,000 title deeds to residents of Kinyoo and Syumile areas — a major step in resolving decades-old disputes affecting residents from Mbitini, Nguu, and Mulala.
Later in Wote Town, the President will inspect the Affordable Housing Project, which has created hundreds of local jobs. MP Mutuse noted that Ruto had directed contractors to ensure all pending wages are paid promptly. The Head of State will also inaugurate the new Wote Market, a KSh 350 million facility meant to boost local trade.
In a major announcement, the President is also expected to grant a charter for the South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) - which has a Makueni Campus in Wote. The Makueni campus will be upgraded into an autonomous institution within two years.
On Thursday, President Ruto will move to Kitui County, where he will officially launch several major road projects, including the Ikutha–Kanziku–Mutha–Mathima–Mutomo and Kyuluni–Zombe roads.
He will then visit Kitui Town to inspect the ongoing Affordable Housing Project, commission the Ithookwe Stadium, and officially open the Ithookwe Airstrip, signaling the government’s commitment to improving the county’s infrastructure and connectivity.
On Friday, attention will shift to Machakos County, starting with Mwala, where the President will commission the Kivandini–Miseleni Road and officially open the Kangundo–Mwala Road.
He will later proceed to Mutituni, where he will open a modern market, and later to Machakos Town, where he will preside over the opening of Affordable Housing units and launch the construction of additional ones — reaffirming the administration’s focus on the housing agenda.
On Saturday, the President is scheduled to host over 10,000 leaders from across the Ukambani region at the newly built State Lodge in Kitui, the first of its kind in the region.
Mutuse described the facility as a major milestone, saying it symbolizes the inclusion of Ukambani in national leadership affairs. “Almost all counties have a State House, and for the first time, Ukambani now has one. The President can now visit and stay here,” he said.
The Kibwezi West legislator urged residents to welcome the President peacefully, decrying incidents where rival politicians allegedly fund youths to disrupt official events.
“Kenya belongs to all of us. If Ruto visits Ukambani, he should be received respectfully. Tomorrow it might be your leader visiting Ruto’s backyard — how will he be received if we promote hostility here?” he posed.
Mutuse emphasized that the tour is “purely developmental” and that all elected leaders, regardless of party affiliation, should unite in fighting poverty and driving progress across Ukambani.
Despite being framed as a development tour, analysts view the visit as a strategic political outreach to a region dominated by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who has dismissed the President’s overtures. Kalonzo has urged locals to welcome Ruto but to remind him that “he remains a one-term president.”
He maintains that the projects being implemented are citizens’ rights, not presidential favors.
As Ruto embarks on what could be one of his most consequential regional tours yet, the visit is expected to test both his political strategy and his promise to deliver equitable development across all regions — including those that did not vote for him.
