Prominent Mt. Kenya leaders held a joint press conference on Tuesday, 08 August. The meeting included Martha Karua, Peter Munya, and Jeremiah Kioni, among others.
A section of Mt. Kenya Region leaders during a press briefing on 08 August, 2023. Photo| Courtesy
The leaders contended that Ruto’s visit to Mt Kenya region was an attempt to salvage his public image. According to them, the projects being inaugurated had been initiated years ago, during President Uhuru’s regime. Thus rendering President Ruto’s visit inconsequential.
“They are inaugurating projects that were initiated and completed two years ago… some even by the respective counties… the current administration has yet to accomplish any entirely new projects on its own.”
Nderitu Mureithi, Former Laikipia Governor
President Ruto, who is currently on an intensive tour of the region, has overseen the commencement of water, health, and road projects across various counties.
The president recent defended his actions staunchly in an interview. He asserted that he had played a significant role in the planning and initiation of road projects during the previous administration.
“I’ve heard some individuals suggesting that Ruto and Riggy G are here merely to inaugurate roads that were constructed by the previous government. I’m not a stranger to Mt. Kenya. A significant number of roads in this region, if you consult these MPs, I engaged with them, a substantial portion of these roads, I initiated them.”
Former Governor Mureithi also raised concerns about the additional taxes introduced and the removal of subsidies. He asserted that these measures had placed an excessive burden on the region’s populace. Former Agriculture and Livestock Development CS added that,
“Kenyans are now grappling with despair, and as leaders, we refuse to remain silent. Despite being dubbed the ‘hustler government,’ Kenyans are facing hardships.”
Peter Munya
Mureithi further claimed that the fertilizer currently being distributed by the government had actually been a donation from the Russian government.
Some Azimio representatives from the Mt. Kenya area labeled President William Ruto’s recent developmental tour of the Central region as a mere “publicity stunt.”
However, the local leaders minimized assertions that their region had been marginalized in the bipartisan Azimio discussions.
