President William Ruto has announced that the Ukambani region will no longer remain in the opposition, admitting that he was personally responsible for its past political isolation.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 12, during the kick start of the region’s tour, the Head of State announced his determination to bring the three counties of Makueni, Kitui, and Machakos into his administration’s fold.
“Ukambani should not remain in opposition. The mistake was mine. I let people come here and waste your time and put the region in the opposition,” President Ruto stated.
The President asked residents to relay a clear message about his intentions for the region’s political realignment.
“Tell him, Ruto has said Ukambani is leaving the opposition and joining the government,” he stated.
Ruto launched a scathing attack on his political opponents, accusing them of lacking substantive development plans and relying instead on divisive politics.
“The ones I’m going against, they have no plan. They don’t know anything about road construction or electricity connection. Their politics revolves around tribalism, hate and chaos,” the President charged.
He dismissed the opposition leaders’ strategy as merely focused on removing him from power without offering alternative policy proposals to the Kenyans people.
“Someone who has no plan, has no manifesto, just saying Kasongo must go, and one term. Do you want those kinds of people to lead you?” Ruto posed to the crowd.
The political pronouncements came as President Ruto launched a four-day development tour of the Ukambani region, with stops planned across Makueni, Kitui, and Machakos counties to commission infrastructure projects and other development initiatives.
On the inaugural day of his visit, the President commissioned the Kasikeu and Mikuyu Bridges, along with their approach roads, in Makueni County. He also distributed title deeds to residents in Kasikeu and officially opened the Emali-Ukia Road in Kibwezi West, also within Makueni County.
Following the project launches, Ruto emphasized that his government prioritizes initiatives that have tangible effects on the daily lives of ordinary Kenyans.
“We are implementing infrastructure development projects that meet the immediate needs of our citizens, unlocking the economic potential of our rural communities, and driving inclusive growth from the bottom up,” he said in a statement.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring equitable development across all regions of the country, regardless of their political orientation.
