President Ruto Declares Ukambani's Shift from Opposition to Government

President Ruto proclaims the transition of Ukambani to the Government instead of being in opposition.

President William Ruto has declared that the Ukambani region will stop existing on the fringes of opposition, and he has plans to incorporate the three counties of Makueni, Kitui, and Machakos in his development plan.

In an interview on Wednesday, November 12, at the beginning of his four-day development visit to the region, President Ruto admitted that the marginalization of Ukambani was the outcome of historical political choices of which he had personal responsibility.

Ukambani must not stay in the opposition.

The mistake was mine. I allowed others to visit this place, and it cost you time, and I put the region in opposition and that is what I said to a huge number of people. He encouraged people to spread his word: "Spread it among people, tell them that Ruto has told him that Ukambani is quitting the opposition and becoming a member of the government.

The declaration by the Head of State was an indication that there would be a fresh attempt to attract the leaders and citizens of the region to his political and development agenda in his administration before the next elections.

Ruto in recent months, has been stepping up efforts to reach out to the opposition-leaning areas, focusing on his agenda of the Bottom-Up economic transformation and also vowing a balanced development of every county.

President Ruto took a scathing attack on the opposition leaders in his address, citing that the opposition leaders did not have a vision or significant plans on how to develop the country. He argued that his opponents were involved in divisive politics as opposed to the requirements of ordinary citizens.

The ones I am opposing have no scheme. They are unaware of how to build roads or to tie up power lines. Tribalism, hate, and chaos are part of their politics, he said.

Ruto also accused the opposition leaders of engaging in political talk aimed at ousting him from power instead of providing real policy plans on how to boost the economy and governance of the country.

A man who has no plan or manifesto and merely says so-and-so must go--is it to men like these you wish to be led? he inquired of the people, with shouts in support.

These comments were made as the President rolled out some of the biggest development projects in Makueni County. On the first day of his tour, he commissioned the Kasikeu Bridge and Mikuyu Bridge and the entry roads and formally opened the Emali-Ukia Road in Kibwezi West constituency.

He also gave title deeds to the owners of Kasikeu, with more land reforms to come in order to improve ownership and productivity. Ruto made it clear that his government was serious about initiatives that can have a direct impact in the lives of Kenyans, especially the rural ones. He repeated that his development program of the government was aimed at empowering people on the base level by strengthening infrastructure, agriculture, and the establishment of enterprises.

According to the President, the infrastructure development projects that are being undertaken are addressing the immediate needs of its citizens, unlocking the economic potential of the rural people, and promoting bottom-to-top inclusive growth.

He promised citizens of Ukambani that his government would go ahead to invest in major sectors, including roads, water, electricity, and housing, to bring equal opportunities in the country.

He said that every Kenyan, no matter where he or she is, should feel the effects of the government development initiatives. The visit by Ruto to Ukambani is largely considered an initiative to cement his political foundation in the lead to the 2027 general election.

The area has always been inclined towards opposition politics; however, the new interest of the President is to transform this trend by considering the physical development outcomes.

With four days to go through Machakos and Kitui counties, Ruto is likely to roll out more infrastructural projects, consult the local leaders, and reiterate his administration's efforts in developing the region.

The President ended by asking Ukambani leaders to ally with his government in the interests of progress. We should collaborate in the development of our people. Ukambani will be no more neglected of, he said.