President William Ruto and Former Kitui Senator David Musila at Kitui State Lounge when the President met Ukambani leaders on November 15, 2025. Photo by PPS 
By Andrew Mbuva
President William Ruto has announced a sweeping KSh110 billion investment package aimed at transforming livelihoods across Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni counties—an unprecedented injection of resources into the Ukambani region.
Speaking at Kitui State Lodge on Saturday, where he met more than 10,000 grassroots leaders at the end of his four-day development tour, the President said no previous administration had channelled such monumental resources into the region at once.
He revealed that KSh64 billion is being used to construct 44,000 affordable housing units, 39 modern markets, and 15,000 student hostel beds.
“No administration before this one has spent KSh64 billion in Ukambani at once. And you are witnesses,” he said, adding that the housing programme is reshaping both the economic and social fabric of Kenya using locally mobilised resources.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Labour CS Alfred Mutua, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, National Security Advisor Monica Juma, and former Kitui Senator David Musila attended the meeting, alongside several MPs, MCAs, and Principal Secretaries Terry Mbaika and Jonathan Mueke.
President Ruto further disclosed that KSh30 billion has been earmarked for the upgrade of 600km of roads in the region under the first phase, while KSh6.7 billion will be used to connect 51,000 households to electricity within the next six months.
To address chronic water shortages, the President said the Thwake Multipurpose Dam will soon be completed at a cost of KSh9.6 billion, funded by the African Development Bank. The Umaa Dam in Kitui, he said, will be finalised next year at a cost of KSh230 million.
An additional KSh700 million has been allocated to compensate residents affected by the Muwongoni Dam project in Machakos, paving the way for construction to commence. Ruto reaffirmed that the High-Grand Falls Dam—straddling Kitui and Tharaka-Nithi—remains a top national priority.
Despite ongoing progress, the President noted that many Kenyans still lack basic services such as water, electricity, and all-weather roads. He said he will use his State of the Nation Address next week to push MPs to back the proposed National Infrastructure Fund.
Through the fund, Kenya aims to raise KSh4.5 trillion to tarmac 20,000km of roads, construct 50 mega dams to irrigate 2.5 million acres, and add 10,000MW of power over the next decade.
Ruto announced that a private investor will break ground on a KSh40 billion clinker and cement factory in Mwingi early next year—an investment projected to create 5,000 jobs. He urged local leaders to support rather than antagonise the investor.
He added that he will preside over the groundbreaking of an KSh800 million stadium in Machakos Town early next year, and that KSh230 million has been dedicated to completing the long-delayed Enziu Bridge in Mwingi before the next rainy season.
To curb insecurity, he instructed the Ministry of Defence to explore establishing a military camp to serve as a buffer in conflict-prone areas.
President Ruto encouraged young people to apply for the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, which offers grants of up to KSh50,000 to support youth enterprises.
He concluded by calling on political rivals to shift from empty rhetoric to substantive development-focused engagement.
“We have raised the bar of leadership in Kenya. It is no longer about personalities and slogans, but agenda and plans for Kenya,” he said.
