Public Health PS Mary Muthoni addresses residents during the Jamii Imara Mashinani forum in Nyeri on September 5, 2026.
Technocrats in President William Ruto’s government have stepped up efforts to drum up support for his re-election bid ahead of the August 2027 General Election by explaining to Kenyans the achievements of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
One of the challenges President Ruto has identified is poor communication of his achievements, which he says has created room for misinformation and contributed to public discontent. He has tasked ministry officials with going to the grassroots to explain government programmes and why Kenyans should give him a second term.
Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and chairpersons of State corporations are now engaging citizens at the grassroots in a move aimed at providing information about government programmes while addressing concerns over service delivery.
In the Mt Kenya region, the officials have also embarked on a campaign to demonstrate that, contrary to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s position that the community was sidelined after his ouster in October 2024, the region is well represented in Dr Ruto’s government.
Last week, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni held a public baraza in Nyeri under the Jamii Imara Mashinani initiative, engaging residents on issues including healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure development.
Residents participate in a public baraza in Nyeri under the Jamii Imara Mashinani initiative. The event was presided over by Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.
The forum was part of the government’s wider effort to strengthen its engagement with the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Energy and Petroleum PS Alex Wachira have also held similar forums in the region.
Public Service and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku addresses journalists at NYS Engineering Institute on March 8, 2026.
Ms Muthoni said the team had identified a communication gap over Social Health Authority (SHA) registration and payments, which her department would address.
Francis Kariuki, a boda boda operator, narrated how some of his colleagues had faced difficulties accessing health services after being involved in accidents.
“We are being asked to pay annual premiums before being treated, which is out of reach for most of us. Senior citizens are also being asked for marriage certificates to be registered on SHA, which is unfair,” Mr Kariuki said.
However, Ms Muthoni said some of the concerns raised over SHA were due to inadequate information among Kenyans.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira gifts an Ol Kalou ward electorate with a six kilogram gas cylinder on July 7, 2026.
“Residents complained that they’re being forced to pay an annual premium at once. However, it’s because they’re not aware there is an option of paying in instalments. Lipa SHA Polepole allows partial premium payment, and we have instructed community health promoters to clearly communicate this to Kenyans,” she said.
She said the officials were not engaged in politics, but were part of a government effort to take information and services closer to citizens while addressing their grievances.
Ms Muthoni said several officials from the Mt Kenya region were serving in government, adding that the community was well represented in Dr Ruto’s administration.
“Kenyans are also happy that we’re talking to them directly and addressing their concerns. We as government also appreciate that they’re asking us the hard questions, and we assure Kenyans that the issues will be addressed because we have a responsibility to account for the money the government spends on these programmes and services,” she added.
Ms Muthoni was accompanied by, among others, Kenya Biovax Institute board chairman Charles Githinji, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) board chairperson Winfrida Ngumi, Pharmacy and Poisons Board chairman John Munyu and several directors from various government departments.
On the projected El Niño rains expected in October, Ms Muthoni said the national government, in collaboration with devolved units, had rolled out programmes to mitigate their effects.
“We have directed our community health promoters to help us disseminate information about public health issues concerning heavy rains and especially on proper sanitation, which is a responsibility of all Kenyans,” she said.
Nyeri County CEC for Health Joseph Kiragu said the county government had started unclogging sewerage systems in major towns to help control flooding.
On infrastructure, Ms Ngumi said the government had invested heavily in roads in Nyeri County.
“The value of roads done in this county and those ongoing is over Sh46 billion, which is one of the highest compared to projects in other counties. The Mau Mau roads, which had stalled, are now ongoing after contractors were paid over Sh5.5 billion,” she said.
Dr Githinji said the zero-rating of imports of equipment used to manufacture medical products had spurred the manufacturing sector, with the number of firms engaged in production rising from 34 to 40 over the past four years.
“There is also a system that tracks all medicines to ensure they are safe with a view to protecting Kenyans,” he said.
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