President William Ruto started his five-day tour of Mt. Kenya on Tuesday, April 1st. He arrived at Sagana State Lodge on Sunday and gave a detailed media interview explaining the purpose of his visit.
This is Ruto’s second official tour of the region since taking office. It comes at a time when Mt. Kenya’s political landscape is under scrutiny. Some leaders in the region have turned against him after the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua, elected alongside Ruto in 2022, was impeached by the Senate in October 2024. Since then, he has rallied leaders from Mt. Kenya to oppose Ruto. In his interview, Ruto accused Gachagua of blackmail.
“I was told, ‘I can make you a one-term president unless you give me Ksh.10 billion to organize politics in the region.’ I refused. If my fate is to be a one-term president, so be it,” Said Ruto during press address in Sagana State Lounge on 31st March 2025.
He also mentioned that Gachagua clashed with leaders like Ndindi Nyoro, Kimani Ichung’wa, and blogger Dennis Itumbi shortly after taking office.
The president’s visit comes months after his August 2024 tour of the region. This time, he plans to commission completed projects, inspect ongoing ones, and launch new initiatives. His itinerary covers Laikipia, Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Kiambu counties.
He will inspect roads, affordable housing, fresh produce markets, electricity connectivity, and water systems. In Kiambu and Laikipia counties, he will review the construction of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPS). He will also issue title deeds in Nyeri and Meru counties and oversee water and sanitation programs in Meru, Murang’a, and Embu counties.
He is expected to visit livestock feedlots, the JM Memorial Hospital in Ol Kalou, and the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Murang’a. Affordable housing projects are also part of his agenda.
Agricultural Sector Revamp
On March 20th, Ruto met Mt. Kenya leaders at State House. They discussed plans to revamp coffee, tea, and dairy farming, as well as infrastructure development and fresh produce markets.
By Grace Githinji
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