Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Thursday embarked on a five-day pacification tour of Ukambani ahead of a planned visit to the region by President William Ruto next week.
Prof Kindiki descended on the region accompanied by UDA party MPs and President Ruto's allies, with a programme that is expected to take him to 12 constituencies, in a charm offensive to woo the Kamba community.
Wooing the Kamba vote bloc
He is expected to make 12 stopovers in the three counties of Kitui, Makueni and Machakos, which cumulatively boast of 1.7 million votes.
The DP on Thursday presided over two women empowerment fundraisers in Zombe in Kitui County and Kaiti in Makueni County, where he brought President Ruto’s contribution of Sh2 million in each of the two events.
"I have come with this team to prepare the way for the President’s visit. As a neighbour to this region, I want to urge this community to shun opposition politics and be part of the broad-based government," said the DP.
On Friday, he is expected to tour Mwingi West.
In a direct response to his predecessor, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, that residents should be facilitated to attend and listen to President Ruto when he visits, Prof Kindiki on Thursday said the Kamba community should not accept to be incited by disgruntled politicians.
"Those moving around the country inciting Kenyans against the President have all been leaders. They should share first account for their many years in office and what they did for the common wananchi," he said at Zombe stadium in Kitui East.
The DP assured the community that the government was keen to implement equitable development projects across the country without bias or favouritism towards any region.
Prof Kindiki said no region will be left behind or discriminated against in the sharing of the national cake regardless of how they voted in the last elections, in order to achieve inclusive economic growth.
Promises for President's visit
Engineers from Chinese contractor Sinohydro Corporation hold a banner to commemorate the completion of the Kitui-Kibwezi road.
Photo credit: Kitavi Mutua | Nation Media Group
In a bid to woo the Kamba community into supporting the Kenya Kwanza regime, Prof Kindiki enumerated several key road projects in Ukambani, including the completion of Kibwezi- Kitui road, Chuluni-Zombe road, Kamuwongo - Kandwia road and Enziu bridge, all in Kitui County.
“You have cried for Emali-Ukia Road since the reign of Kenyatta One, Mzee Moi, Mzee Kibaki, Uhuru, and now God has enabled us to secure funding for that road. Money for tarmacking the road is in the 2025/2026 budget. On May 27th, we advertised the contract for tarmacking 20 kilometres of that road. Once the contractor starts tarmacking the road, I shall come to inspect the work in the company of local leaders,” Prof Kindiki said amid cheers.
“The 42-kilometre road, which serves Kibwezi West, Makueni and Kaiti constituencies, has been at the centre of presidential pledges since independence. President Ruto had promised to tarmac the road as he campaigned in the region. “Will you have a problem again with President Ruto once the tarmacking of Emali-Ukia Road is completed?” Prof Kindiki posed.
Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka Kawaya asked Ukambani leaders to fix their politics by ditching the Opposition, calling upon Wiper party leaders, the dominant party in the region, to join the government.
Mr Kawaya, who is the UDA National Organising Secretary, questioned why Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka was stuck in the Opposition, yet Azimio coalition presidential candidate in the 2022 elections Raila, had long joined Ruto’s government.
"It is sad the Wiper leader has teamed up with Mr Gachagua, who was impeached by the National Assembly for propagating tribalism. It is clear the two can’t sustain a cohesive political coalition," Mr Kawaya said.
His remarks were echoed by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who said the next elections will be between those who propagate divisions in the country and those promoting national unity.
The DP was accompanied by President Ruto’s personal aide Farouk Kibet, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, several Kamba MPs and senior government officers.
The team gave a raft of promises of the projects the government was planning to undertake and which will be commissioned by the President during his upcoming visit.
“When Mr Gachagua was the Deputy President, did he raise funds to help women and youth like Prof Kindiki has done? Was he not engrossed in buying hotels and amassing wealth?” Mr Cheruiyot asked.
