Ruto ends Nairobi tour with bag full of promises

President William Ruto has wrapped up his five-day tour of Nairobi County, leaving behind a string of newly launched projects and bold promises — many of which now join a growing list of commitments his administration has made since taking office.

However, what was meant to be a victory lap turned chaotic in some areas. Schools were disrupted, reports of mugging and theft emerged, and one person lost his life after being hit by the presidential motorcade.

The tour, which began on Monday in Kamukunji, saw the President also traverse Mathare, Kasarani, Kibra, Starehe, Ruaraka, Westlands, Dagoretti North, Dagoretti South, Makadara, Langata, Embakasi South, Embakasi North, Embakasi Central, Embakasi East, and Embakasi West. 

He had been to Roysambu constituency attending a church function two Sundays ago. 

While addressing residents in Ruai, Underpass, Chokaa, Kayole Junction and Njiru Stage, Nairobi on the final day of his tour, President Ruto acknowledged the ongoing land disputes affecting many parts of the country, including Nairobi County. 

He issued a directive that no evictions should take place until alternative housing arrangements are provided for the affected families, emphasizing the government's commitment to resolving these challenges.

“The Government is aware of land disputes in many parts of the country, including Nairobi County. As we seek to resolve these challenges, no eviction will be carried out until the affected families are provided with alternatives,” he said.

During his final day of his tour of Eastlands, covering Makadara, Buruburu, Umoja, Kayole, and Embakasi, the President announced a Sh40 million allocation for 20 new classrooms in Embakasi.

He gave an assurance that CHPS workers would be paid, schools would receive infrastructure upgrades, and efforts would continue to promote affordable housing and employment opportunities.

“When I took office, my priority was education. Many assume Nairobi has a good system, but some children lack classrooms and remain out of school, especially in informal areas. Besides the CDF, I allocated Sh1 billion for classrooms and will ensure Nairobi gets more teachers during recruitment. I’m also supporting the MP with Sh40 million for 20 new classrooms in this area,” President Ruto said.

Regarding infrastructure, he stated that he instructed Nairobi Governor and the Cabinet Secretary for Roads to collaborate on improving roads in Eastlands.

The President said he has allocated sh2 billion specifically for this purpose, aiming to transform Eastlands to match the standard of Nairobi’s other developed areas.

“We have agreed that the roads in Eastlands need improvement. I have instructed the governor to work with the Cabinet Secretary for Roads to plan and oversee the construction. I have allocated sh2 billion specifically for this project to ensure Eastlands develops and matches the standards of other parts of Nairobi,” he said in Kayole.

He highlighted the ongoing modernization at Umoja 1 Primary and Junior School, emphasizing that the improvements would ensure students have better facilities to support their education. Additionally, he said 10 more classrooms would be constructed at the school in Embakasi West Constituency.

Read: SHA-fashi … Ruto’s 1m chapati promise lands him, Sakaja in frying pan of jokes

The President also addressed sanitation issues, while presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Umoja Sewerage System. He said the system will connect over 50,000 households in Kariobangi, Maili Saba, Umoja, Saika, Tassia, and Tena to proper sewer lines — improving waste management and enhancing urban living conditions.

The Head of State acknowledged calls for increased wages for climate-related jobs, promising to work with local leaders to ensure Nairobi’s youth are included in the project, creating more employment opportunities.

“I have heard your concerns about the pay and the climate works. You’re asking for a pay rise, and I’m committed to making it happen,” he said.

On water supply, the President confirmed that distribution efforts are already underway to ensure every household gains access to clean water.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, on his part, said the government was ready to create jobs for the youth, as well as ensure the development of Kenya, without discriminating any parts, 

“The government is ensuring everywhere is developed without any part of the country being left behind. The President is working hard to create job opportunities through the affordable housing programs, Nairobi Rivers Regeneration which are meant to create jobs for the young people. We are working hard to create short-term, midterm and long-term jobs including on digital platforms, to ensure our youths in Nairobi have a source of income and improve their lives,” Prof Kindiki said in Kasarani Constituency.

“Let us all support the President as he unites all Kenyans and the nation. Let all religions, tribes coexist peacefully because Kenya is big enough for all and the government is serving all Kenyans without discrimination,” the DP said at Embakasi West.

At the same time, President Ruto called on Kenyans to unite, emphasizing the need to move away from divisive ethnic politics. He said Kenya belongs to all citizens, regardless of tribe, religion, or region, and urged the nation to embrace unity for a shared, common future.

“We do not want ethnic politics — we have agreed on that. I spoke with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga we agreed that we should unite Kenya and bring all communities together. I want to assure you that no community, no religion, and no region will be left behind. The politics of ethnicity is dragging us backward. I am asking Kenyans to come together because Kenya belongs to all of us. It’s not about one tribe finishing its turn and another taking over. We are all Kenyans, and we all belong here,” President Ruto said.

However, the President Ruto said elections will be held in 2027, emphasizing that Kenyans will decide based on the work leaders have done. He urged everyone to work hard, promising to focus on creating jobs for young people, improving infrastructure, and ensuring access to education.

He light-heartedly acknowledged the growing list of nicknames Kenyans have given him, saying he doesn’t mind, as long as he gets the job done.

“You started by calling me ‘Hustler,’ then ‘Survivor.’ Now I’m ‘Zakayo,’ and I hear you’ve moved on to ‘Kasongo’ and even ‘El Chapo.’ Keep going — how many more names will you add? Do you want them to reach 10, like my term limit?” he joked while addressing residents of Embakasi.

During his tour, President Ruto made several key pledges aimed at boosting education, infrastructure, and social welfare. He committed Sh50 million towards constructing a new complex at Kamukunji Technical Vocational College, which will focus on engineering, automotive, electrical, and building technology, with work set to begin in June under Prof Kindiki’s supervision. 

Additionally, he promised a bus for the institution to support student transportation.

Read: Timeline of robbery incidents during Ruto tour of Mathare

For Kamukunji Primary School, President Ruto pledged Sh5 million to improve learning facilities. In Mathare, he launched an 800-bed dormitory at St Teresa’s Secondary School, accompanied by a Sh5 million donation to equip it fully, and announced plans to build 10 additional classrooms. 

He also committed to constructing five extra classrooms for the neighbouring Mathare Primary School to accommodate more learners.

“I am sending you Sh5 million to make sure that dormitory is equipped properly. We are going to build an extra 10 classrooms here and extra 5 classrooms at the primary school so that we can give the children of Mathare the opportunity to learn,” President Ruto said.

The President backed Nairobi County’s feeding programs, initiative in partnership with Food 4 Education by promising to buy a machine capable of cooking one million chapatis for school children across the city.

“I have accepted to buy a machine for cooking chapatti. Governor, (Sakaja) it is upon you to look for a place to buy a machine that will cook one million chapatis,” he said.

On the national front, the President vowed to end discrimination in issuing national identity cards, ensuring that no Kenyan would face vetting to obtain an ID. He also assured locals that the ongoing delays in ID issuance would be addressed by the responsible ministry.

“Every Kenyan must be issued with an identity card. That is why I directed that let us do away with the discrimination which was there before,” President Ruto said.