President William Ruto has announced that he will resume his development tour of Kitui County in two weeks, following the postponement occasioned by the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Ruto had suspended the week-long Ukambani development tour last Wednesday following the passing of the ODM leader in India.
The tour was scheduled to kick off on October 15 and would have covered the counties of Kitui, Makueni, and Machakos.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui, Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to return to the region and roll out major development initiatives.
“Nyinyi mnajua nilikuwa na mpango ya kutembea hapa kwa shughuli ya maendeleo ya taifa letu, hasa ya Kitui County... nilikuwa nimepanga safari ya siku tano hapa na pia siku zingine za Ukambani,” he said.
“Lakini kwa sababu ya msiba, hiyo ziara yangu nimeipeleka mbele kidogo. Sasa wiki mbili zijazo mimi nitakuwa hapa.”
(You all know I was supposed to tour this area on development agenda, I had planned to conduct a 5-day tour here in Kitui and other days in Ukambani, but because of the state funeral I pushed it further. But in tthe coming two weeks I will be here).
Ruto assured the residents that his upcoming visit would be deliberate and focused on ending the historical marginalisation of the Ukambani region.
This, as he pledged equitable development for all parts of the country.
The initial tour plan had outlined a packed itinerary, with Ruto set to launch and inspect key infrastructure projects across the region.
He was expected to crisscross the region to launch and inspect key infrastructure projects.
During the first day, Ruto was scheduled to kick off the tour in Mwingi West, to launch the Kwasiku-Migwani-Mbondoni road project, before proceeding to Kitui East to commission the Zombe-Mwitika road.
He was also expected in Kangundo to launch the Kangundo-Mwala road tarmacking.
He was also expected to commission affordable housing projects in Kitui and Wote, open the newly refurbished Ithookwe Stadium, and inspect various water and market projects in Mwala, Mutituni, and Kilome.
State House sources indicated that a revised itinerary will be issued soon, as the President prepares to return to the Ukambani region to continue with what he termed a “transformative journey of national unity and shared prosperity.”
