National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah has urged Kenyans to prioritise their own interests over political loyalties when voting in the 2027 General Election.
Ichung’wah said voters should elect leaders based on their ability to deliver development and improve livelihoods rather than on tribal or ethnic considerations.
"When casting your votes, love yourself more than the way you love a politician. Loving yourself means, you look on a politician who has manifesto and plan for development, which will transform your life," Ichung'wah said.
He spoke on Wednesday during a women empowerment programme at Mutituni Market in Machakos County.
Ichung’wah was accompanied by UDA MPs Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West), Charles Nguna (Mwingi West) and Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri). They were hosted by Machakos Town MP Caleb Mule.
Former State House Chief of Staff and Machakos gubernatorial aspirant Nzioka Waita also attended the event, which was held at Lilongwe Stadium in Mutituni, Machakos Town Sub-county.
During the event, Ichung’wah said the President and his administration were committed to ensuring equitable development across the country and economically empowering citizens through the distribution of public resources and development projects.
"Ask yourself, who will you vote to construct your roads, connect you to electricity, provide you with clean and safe drinking water and provide you with life changing opportunities? Don't love me as a politician because of my tribe, appearance or other. Let's vote leaders who can transform our lives," Ichung'wah said.
Ichung’wah also urged residents to support President Ruto’s re-election in 2027.
He said Machakos County and the wider Ukambani region had benefited from development and empowerment opportunities under Ruto’s administration.
"Let's ignore those who hurl insults at their fellow politicians and consider those with brains and capability of transforming people's lives," Ichung'wah said.
Ichung’wah highlighted projects he said the Kenya Kwanza administration had undertaken in Machakos County.
He said the President had allocated Sh1.2 billion for the construction of 19 markets in the county, comprising two modern markets and 17 ESP markets.
Ichung’wah said the government, through the New Financing Model of Education, was constructing hostels to ensure students at KMTC Maanza, TVET institutions and Machakos University had access to accommodation.
He said Sh1.1 billion had been allocated for the construction of hostels that will accommodate 720 students.
The Kikuyu MP said Sh275 million had also been allocated to KMTC Maanza for hostel construction.
"In total, it's close to Sh1.4 billion that is coming to Machakos county for hostels' construction," Ichung'wah said.
He said the government also plans to construct 18 affordable housing projects worth Sh32.4 billion in Machakos County.
Ichung’wah said students from universities and colleges across the country had secured opportunities through the affordable housing and market projects.
He said 5,000 graduate interns across the country were working on affordable housing projects, including in Machakos, alongside graduates and non-graduates from TVETs and other middle-level institutions as part of the government's efforts to create jobs.
Ichung’wah said the affordable housing programme also provides graduates with industrial attachment opportunities to gain experience for one or two years before seeking employment, including through the Kazi Majuu programme.
On roads, he said Ruto’s administration had fast-tracked the construction of road projects that stalled across the country in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
