By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, June 28, 2026- Senior government officials and political leaders from the Lower Eastern region have intensified campaigns for President William Ruto's re-election, urging Ukambani residents to back his 2027 bid on the strength of what they described as unprecedented development projects undertaken in the region.
Speaking on Sunday during a Jamii Imara Mashinani public engagement forum in Thokoa, Migwani, Mwingi West Constituency, Kitui County, the leaders argued that President Ruto's administration had delivered more tangible development to Ukambani than previous governments, saying the region now stood to reap the benefits of ongoing infrastructure investments.
The leaders maintained that successive political leadership in the region had failed to effectively lobby for development, insisting that the Kenya Kwanza administration had demonstrated a commitment to transforming the area through road infrastructure, health and economic empowerment programmes.
The meeting brought together Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards) and Jonathan Mueke (Livestock Development), Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna Ngasya (CNN), Kenya National Highways Authority Chairperson Winnie Ngumi and other national and county leaders.
A key highlight of the meeting was the inspection of the ongoing 23-kilometre Kibwezi-Kitui-Migwani-Mbondoni road, a project expected to open up the region to trade by linking Kitui with Mombasa, Garissa and neighbouring counties.
Speaking during the inspection, Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the road would be a game changer for the local economy.
"This road will unlock enormous economic opportunities for residents by connecting them to larger markets and easing the movement of goods and services," he said.
Area MP Charles Nguna Ngasya said residents were finally witnessing the fulfilment of a promise that had featured in presidential campaigns for decades.
"For many years this road was only a campaign promise. Today, people can see the project taking shape, and that is why we believe this administration deserves another term," said the legislator.
Kenya National Highways Authority Chairperson Winnie Ngumi said the road, currently 50 per cent complete, was being implemented under a presidential directive and remained on schedule.
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She said the project is expected to be completed by December, with commissioning planned for January.
Ngumi added that compensation for affected landowners was underway in collaboration with the National Land Commission to pave the way for completion of the remaining sections.
The leaders said similar infrastructure projects were being rolled out across the country, describing them as evidence of the government's commitment to inclusive development and economic transformation.
The Jamii Imara Mashinani initiative, which brings together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, heads of State corporations, board chairpersons and chief executives, has been touring counties to inspect government projects and explain the administration's development agenda.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the programme would continue monitoring implementation of government projects while engaging wananchi on the achievements of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
She also dismissed claims that President Ruto had lost political support in the Mt Kenya region, saying critics were underestimating what she termed a "silent majority" that remained firmly behind the Head of State.
"There is a silent majority that continues to support, listen to and believe in President Ruto. That support will be evident during the 2027 General Election," she said.
The leaders urged Ukambani residents to rally behind President Ruto's second-term bid, arguing that sustained political support would guarantee continuity of flagship development projects already underway in the region.