President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua will on Thursday, January 25, 2024, embark on a 3-day tour of Meru County, where they are expected to commission various development projects.
The two will be hosted by Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Senator Kathuri Murungi, and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, among other high-ranking government officials allied with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
On Thursday, the UDA leaders are scheduled to launch development projects in Buuri, Tigania West and Tigania East.
On Friday, the team will be in Igembe Central, Igembe North and Igembe South for a similar exercise.
Ruto and his delegation will conclude their tour of Meru County on Saturday, January 28 with a visit to South Imenti, Central Imenti and North Imenti.
During the three-day tour, Ruto is expected to hold discussions with the leadership of the county amid deep divisions that have threatened service delivery.
He is also expected to engage with members of the public on the Kenya Kwanza administration's development and economic plan for the region and the country at large, as well as comment on the murder of blogger Daniel Muthiani alias Sniper.
President Ruto has been to Meru severally since his election in September last year.
During his last visit to the region in September last year, the Head of State weighed in on the leadership wrangles in the county pitting Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), Governor Mwangaza and several other leaders including Senator Murungi.
Speaking during an interdenominational church service at Laare Stadium on September 10, President Ruto urged the leaders to unite and get down to work or face the wrath of the electorate in the 2027 polls.
“People are watching who is working and who is not. Let us work together in harmony...We have no time to waste on infighting,” Ruto stated.
“In 2027, people will make a decision and it will be based on how we performed,” he added.
He noted that MCAs, MPs, Senators and Governor, have distinctive roles to play as enshrined in the constitution and called on the leaders to put their differences aside to work for the people.
“We must unite and work for the people. Please, I beg you let us work together,” he said adding that the leaders should not drag CS Linturi into local politics.
The tough talk, however, didn't stop the MCAs from impeaching Governor Mwangaza for the second time in October last year.
The attempt to kick out the governor suffered a setback after the Senate dismissed seven charges levelled against her, citing a lack of evidence.
She was facing charges of misappropriation and misuse of county resources, nepotism and related unethical practices, bullying, vilification and demeaning of other leaders.
