The Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) has invited bids for the tarmacking of six major roads in the Ukambani region ahead of President William Ruto’s visit.
Four of the road projects are located in Kitui County, the home turf of Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, with the remaining two spread across Machakos and Makueni counties.
The move is widely seen as part of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s strategy to woo the Kamba community ahead of President William Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also announced that his boss will personally launch the projects once the procurement process is finalised and contractors are on site.
According to a public advertisement by Kenha, the roads will be upgraded to bitumen standards using funding from the development vote.
Among those earmarked for tarmacking is the Mutomo–Mutha–Hola road, a crucial link between Kitui and Tana River counties.
The first phase will cover approximately 25 kilometres up to Isaa market, opening up a region that has lacked direct inter-county road access since independence. Currently, traders are forced to take long detours through Mombasa or Garissa to reach Hola town.
Other key projects include the Kamuwongo–Kandwia section of the Mwingi–Tseikuru road and the Zombe–Chuluni road in Kitui East Constituency. Additionally, a Chinese contractor has already begun work on the 27-kilometre Kwa Siku–Migwani–Mbondoni road in Mwingi West at a cost of KSh3.8 billion. This stretch forms part of the stalled Kibwezi–Kitui–Mwingi highway.
While Kenha Director-General Kung’u Ndung’u did not disclose the overall budget for all six road projects, Kitui County emerged as the biggest beneficiary.
Also advertised is the construction of the 10,000-seater Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui Town which will host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations. The stadium project is expected to cost Sh800 million.
Machakos County will benefit from the tarmacking of the Kangundo–Mwala road while Makueni will see the Emali–Ukia road upgraded.
Kenya Kwanza MPs from the region praised the government’s efforts saying the infrastructure projects signal substantial real development.
“The government is committed to unlocking the social-economic potential of Ukambani and Kenya through the construction of tarmacked roads,” said Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
Prof Kindiki, who has been a tour of the region since last week, is expected in Kitui South, Kilome, Mwala, and Kitui West over the coming days. He assured locals that the government will fulfill the promises it made during the last general election within the next two years.
“The government is constructing modern fresh produce markets, five of which are already allocated to Kitui County as part of the 400 planned across all 47 counties,” said the DP.
Prof Kindiki also highlighted progress under the Affordable Housing Programme, revealing that more than 250,000 youth are currently engaged in construction-related work. He encouraged youth to apply for the Climate Works Programme, open until June 15, which aims to provide over 110,000 jobs.
In terms of electricity, the government has allocated Sh2 billion for last-mile connectivity, targeting 16,000 new households, with Kitui Central alone receiving Sh200 million to connect 2,000 homes.
Prof Kindiki also confirmed that the government will resume the stalled construction of the 225-kilometre Kibwezi–Mutomo–Kitui road.
The project had been delayed due to land compensation disputes, but KSh800 million was recently approved by the National Land Commission to resolve the issue.
