Youth leader urges DP Ruto to launch projects in Kangema

Murang'a youth leader Kuria Thuita (left) presents his donation to DP William Ruto during a fundraiser at Murarandia ACK Church in Kiharu on August 4, 2019. Mr Thuita has vowed to unblock all the barriers hindering the deputy president from visiting Kangema Constituency. PHOTO | NDUNG'U GACHANE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Dr Ruto has toured six of the seven Murang’a constituencies about three times but he has never set foot in Kangema Constituency.
  • On July 28, 2018, the deputy president was expected to preside over a fundraiser at Kiairathe Secondary School but the visit was cancelled at the last minute after Kangema MP Muturi Kigano claimed he had not been involved in planning.
  • A youth leader from Kangema has vowed to get rid of all the barriers hindering the DP from visiting the constituency as the area “is in dire need of him”.

Deputy President William Ruto has been a regular visitor to Murang’a County which he traverses as he endears himself to the people over his 2022 presidential bid.

However, Dr Ruto has toured six of the seven Murang’a constituencies about three times but has never set foot in Kangema.

On July 28, 2018, the deputy president was expected to preside over a fundraiser at Kiairathe Secondary School but the visit was cancelled at the last minute after Kangema MP Muturi Kigano claimed he had not been involved in planning.

NOTIFICATION

Dr Ruto had been scheduled to visit Kiairathe and Kiharu where MP Ndindi Nyoro was having his homecoming ceremony.

After the fundraiser was cancelled, he attended Mr Nyoro’s homecoming ceremony and sent Senator Irungu Kang’ata, who had invited him, to Kangema.

Mr Kigano has been accusing the DP of engaging in premature campaigns and has said that his age does not allow him to become Dr Ruto’s sycophant.

“People have been saying I’m opposed to the deputy president coming to Kangema. [I am not] but it’s only courteous for me to be notified since I’m the area MP,” Mr Kigano said.

BARRIERS

Meanwhile, a youth leader from Kangema has vowed to get rid of all the barriers hindering the DP from visiting the constituency as the area “is in dire need of him”.

Speaking at Murarandia ACK Church in Kiharu on August 4, Mr Kuria Thuita said he was prepared to welcome Dr Ruto to Kangema to initiate development projects and listen to the people.

“Kangema people need you. It is the only constituency you have never visited in Murang’a ... I’m ready to take you there. Since the late John Michuki’s time, the only work being undertaken is by the county government. We need you there,” he said.

Mr Thuita, who also serves as Murang’a's deputy county secretary, further noted that the constituency had not been developed much despite producing prominent people.

“Since the demise of John Michuki, we have not had an inch of [newly] tarmacked roads. We need the deputy president to launch projects such as construction of the Kenya Medical Training College and tarmacking of Mau Mau road as announced by the President,” he added.