President William Ruto today visited Masalani in Garissa County, combining government development initiatives with attendance at a high-profile wedding, underscoring his administration’s continued focus on infrastructure and social services in Kenya’s Northeastern region.
During the visit, the President is expected to launch several development projects aimed at improving local living conditions. These include an affordable housing scheme, a water-supply project for Masalani, and upgrades at Haji Girls Secondary School, comprising a newly refurbished school block, dining hall, and three twin laboratories. The projects are intended to enhance education and access to essential services for residents in the region.
President Ruto highlighted the housing programme in a post on his official X account, stating:
“We are building 230,000 affordable homes across the country to give Kenyans access to decent housing while supporting job creation and inclusive urban growth. The programme is also strengthening local economies by reserving parts of the work, including steel doors and windows, for Jua Kali artisans so that the economic gains stay within the community. Launched the construction of the 376-unit Masalani Affordable Housing Project, Ijara Constituency, Garissa County.”
Security has been heightened across Masalani ahead of the visit, reflecting the high-profile nature of both the presidential tour and the wedding. Authorities have emphasized safety and smooth coordination to ensure the events proceed without incident.
The dual-purpose visit reflects a pattern in Ruto’s Northeastern tours, where government officials often combine social infrastructure initiatives with engagement in local community events. Past visits to Garissa have included the upgrading of Garissa Airstrip, the reopening of the local passport application center, and the issuance of thousands of title deeds to residents.
While the wedding adds a social dimension to the President’s visit, the government projects remain the focus for economic and community development, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and living standards in the region.
Local residents and civil society groups have expressed cautious optimism, noting that while project launches signal positive intentions, actual implementation and follow-through will be critical to ensure tangible benefits for the community.
Sources: Dawan Africa
By Michelle Ndaga
