Officials start initiative to popularise state projects in Mt Kenya

Public Health PS Mary Muthoni (left) listens to questions from women at Kiru Boys Secondary school during the launch of Jamii Imarisha Mashinani initiative on August 16, 2025.

Senior government officers from the Mt Kenya region have started an initiative aimed at lobbying for support for the government.

The Jamii Imarisha Mashinani initiative, launched at Kiru Boys Secondary School in Mathioya, Murang’a, will sensitise and engage residents on development projects being undertaken by the government.

The initiative being driven by officials from state agencies, will see residents engaged on their development priorities while enhancing collaborative strategies to accelerate growth in the region.

The government officials affirmed that all on-going projects will be completed to ensure they serve the public.

Numerous projects started during by the former government have remained stalled causing uproar among residents with the major ones being the Mau Mau roads project and the Kenol-Marua dual carriageway.

According to Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, the initiative will provide a platform for the government to dialogue directly with residents which he said will ease implementation of projects.

“There are many projects being implemented by the government. This initiative will ensure residents are aware of what is being done and how it will benefit them, and solve any up coming issues,” he said.

It will also help the government to counter widespread misinformation, Mwaura added, aimed at causing disquiet in the region that threw its support behind the Kenya Kwanza government in 2022.

This is because the involved departments will create awareness in the grassroots, dampening any propaganda being spread while raising residents’ trust in the government.

Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the Social Health Authority has been working well despite facing criticism.

The programme, she noted, has helped many Kenyans access healthcare and appealed to Kenyans not to politicise programmes aimed at bettering their lives.

Muthoni said the government has made major efforts to make healthcare affordable, including paying for outpatient services in Level 2, 3 and 4 health facilities.

Sports PS Elijah Mwangi urged youths to shun divisive politics and instead focus on activities that boost their personal development.

He said the government, through programmes such as National Youths Opportunities Towards Advancement and the National Industrial Training Authority, has committed funds aimed at nurturing talent and supporting young people to be self-reliant.

Kenya National Highways Authority chairperson Anthony Mwaura reiterated the government’s commitment to completing major infrastructure projects in the region.

He said the 540km-long Mau Mau Roads project that connects Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Nyeri counties is 60 per cent done and will be completed by the end of this year.

The road follows the routes used by Mau Mau fighters to get in and out of Aberdare forest while fighting colonialists and is aimed at honouring the fighters.

“This road, once complete, will improve connectivity in areas bordering the Aberdare forest. It will boost tourism and the local economies,” he said.

The officials said the initiative will be rolled out in all counties in the region and will enable residents to ask questions and give feedback on priority areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture and youth empowerment.