Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has called on Kenyans to support President William Ruto’s administration, emphasizing the need for national unity as the government aims to rebuild public trust in its service delivery.
During the launch of the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP-IV) 2023-2027 framework at Chuka in Tharaka Nithi County, CS Kindiki acknowledged the government’s challenges in its first two years, primarily due to economic constraints.
“In the first two years, we have not been able to achieve much. The government was focused on debt repayment and economic stabilization. However, moving forward, you will see the president and ministers actively launching and commissioning various projects in the upcoming financial year,” Kindiki stated.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to reviving and completing stalled projects, as well as commissioning new ones, under the Kenya Finance Bill 2024. Kindiki assured Kenyans that efforts to lower the dollar exchange rate would positively impact the economy and improve livelihoods dependent on imported goods.
“I want to thank Kenyans for their patience and bring a message of hope. The worst days are behind us. Elected leaders will now have projects to complete and present to their constituents. The country was in debt and nearing bankruptcy, but we are now in a better place,” Kindiki remarked.
CS Kindiki also stressed the importance of national unity, labeling those who undermine stability and unity as enemies of the state. He urged political leaders to prioritize peace and avoid inciting tribal divisions.
During the event, Tharaka Member of Parliament George Gitonga Murugara criticized the ‘One Man, One Vote, One Shilling’ campaign, arguing that all regions deserve development. He warned that 18 counties risk losing significant allocations if the formula is adopted.
“Tharaka Nithi, with its small population and revenue allocation, would lose 1.4 billion shillings. This formula would negatively impact more than 18 counties. We should be increasing, not reducing, county allocations,” MP Murugara said.
The MP also asked the Teachers Service Commission to negotiate and look for a return to work policy with Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers after claims that they had been sacked after calling off their nationwide strike.
Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene highlighted the president’s directive for each constituency to receive KShs 50 million for rural electrification projects. He urged support for the Finance Bill to facilitate these and other projects, calling for accountability in the use of public funds.
“Let us stop tribalism. The bottom-up model should uplift less developed counties. We have overcome difficult times, and tribalism should no longer be a topic in Kenya,” Munene emphasized.
Priority projects for Tharaka Nithi County under the MTP-IV 2023-2027 framework include completing the county headquarters, digitalizing government payments, financing climate action programs, the Credit Guarantee Scheme, and the Aquaculture Business Development Programme.
Principal Secretaries Patrick Kilemi (Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development) and Betsy Njagi (Blue Economy) were also in attendance.
