President William Ruto at Kamuwongo during the commissioning of the Kamuwongo-Kandwia road on November 13, 2025. He is flanked by Kitui Governor Julius Malombe (centre) among other senior government officials.|MWINGI TIMES

In November this year when President Ruto visited Kitui County, he commissioned the tarmacking of the Kamuwongo-Kandwia road, part of the Mwingi -Tseikuru truck road and said that funds would be sourced to tarmac the untarmacked section of the road upto Tseikuru.

He lamented at the time that despite some unnamed leaders from the area having held top government positions, residents had to make do with difficult terrain involving plenty of dust and mud to get to their homes. 

An advertisement on MyGov newspaper inviting bids from eligible contractors for upgrading to bitumen standards of Kyuso-Tseikuru road.|THE STAR

President Ruto, directed the CS in charge of Roads Ministry, Davies Chirchir who was part of his entourage to look for funds to ensure that the remaining 30 km Kyuso -Tseikuru section of the Mwingi – Tseikuru road was tarmacked.

The Kandwia-Kyuso section of the same road was tarmacked during the reign of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. However, the tender notice that was placed by Kenha on Tuesday said that the successful bidder would also strengthen the Kandwia-Kyuso road.

Last week, President Ruto publicly attacked Wiper Patriotic Front Party Leader Kalonzo accusing him of failing to tarmac the road leading to his Tseikuru home despite being in national leadership for 40 years. He chided the Wiper leader for having to endure a lot of dust and mud whenever he visits his Tseikuru rural home.

On Tuesday the Kenya National Highway Authority invited qualified contractors to bid for the projects by January 5th, 2026. Interested bidders have also been asked to Converge at Kandwia market by 10 am on January 15th, 2026 to proceed for a site visit. 

The tender advertised from the deputy director general of Kenha said that funds for the project would come from Development votes.

In a social media post, the Kitui County Assembly Speaker, Kevin Katisya, who also hails from Tseikuru welcomed the government’s clear plans to tarmac the Kyuso-Tseikuru road by publicizing the tender. "On behalf of the great people of Tseikuru, as one of the Kenyans living in Tseikuru, I am very grateful to H.E The President for advertising the tarmacking of the road to my rural home in Tseikuru,” said Katisya in a social media post.

In November this year when President Ruto visited Kitui County, he commissioned the tarmacking of the Kamuwongo-Kandwia road, part of the Mwingi -Tseikuru truck road and said that funds would be sourced to tarmac the untarmacked section of the road upto Tseikuru.

He lamented at the time that despite some unnamed leaders from the area having held top government positions, residents had to make do with difficult terrain involving plenty of dust and mud to get to their homes. 

An advertisement on MyGov newspaper inviting bids from eligible contractors for upgrading to bitumen standards of Kyuso-Tseikuru road.|THE STAR

President Ruto, directed the CS in charge of Roads Ministry, Davies Chirchir who was part of his entourage to look for funds to ensure that the remaining 30 km Kyuso -Tseikuru section of the Mwingi – Tseikuru road was tarmacked.

The Kandwia-Kyuso section of the same road was tarmacked during the reign of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. However, the tender notice that was placed by Kenha on Tuesday said that the successful bidder would also strengthen the Kandwia-Kyuso road.

Last week, President Ruto publicly attacked Wiper Patriotic Front Party Leader Kalonzo accusing him of failing to tarmac the road leading to his Tseikuru home despite being in national leadership for 40 years. He chided the Wiper leader for having to endure a lot of dust and mud whenever he visits his Tseikuru rural home.

On Tuesday the Kenya National Highway Authority invited qualified contractors to bid for the projects by January 5th, 2026. Interested bidders have also been asked to Converge at Kandwia market by 10 am on January 15th, 2026 to proceed for a site visit. 

The tender advertised from the deputy director general of Kenha said that funds for the project would come from Development votes.

In a social media post, the Kitui County Assembly Speaker, Kevin Katisya, who also hails from Tseikuru welcomed the government’s clear plans to tarmac the Kyuso-Tseikuru road by publicizing the tender. "On behalf of the great people of Tseikuru, as one of the Kenyans living in Tseikuru, I am very grateful to H.E The President for advertising the tarmacking of the road to my rural home in Tseikuru,” said Katisya in a social media post.

Safaricom company official  Mr Nicholas Mulila addressing the media in Kitui Town on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.MWINGI TIMES|Josphine Mwende

Speaking during a press briefing held on 23 December 2025, an officer from Kitui West working with Safaricom Company, Mr Nicholas Mulila, cautioned that the festive season often comes with heightened cases of recklessness, substance abuse and moral lapses, particularly among young people. He noted that many individuals tend to forget their values during this period, allowing themselves to be driven by lust and irresponsible behaviour, which in turn has destroyed promising futures for many youths.

Mr Mulila appealed directly to young people to remain disciplined and focused even as they celebrate. He emphasised that the country depends heavily on the energy and creativity of the youth, especially as the New Year approaches.“My request goes to the youth: as we party because it is a festive season, let us do so responsibly. Gen Z, Kenya needs its strength and energy from January. We need to remain strong, focused and committed to building our country,” he urged.

He further reminded revelers that celebrations should not come at the expense of personal safety or the wellbeing of others. According to him, cases of violence, unplanned pregnancies, drug abuse and other social vices tend to spike during the festive period, largely due to poor decision making.

Mr Mulila also raised concern over the rising number of road accidents reported across the country in recent weeks, warning that the situation could worsen if road users fail to exercise caution. He attributed most of the accidents to reckless driving, speeding, drug and alcohol abuse, and disregard for traffic rules.“As we continue travelling from one place to another, let us be cautious on our roads. Drivers should be careful, reasonable and mindful of the lives of others. Let us move steadily and responsibly,” he said.

He also called upon passengers to take an active role in ensuring their own safety by refusing to board vehicles driven by intoxicated or reckless drivers.“Passengers should be alert and bold enough to say no to drunk drivers. Protecting life is a shared responsibility,” Mr Mulila added.

Turning to parents and guardians, Mr Mulila urged them to prioritise education as the new academic year approaches. He noted that many learners have already completed their Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) assessments and are set to transition to the next levels of learning.“Learners have done their exams and results are out, with placements already made. I urge parents to ensure that all children report to their respective schools to continue with their education. Let us take all our children to school for a better and secure future,” he appealed.

As he concluded, Mr Mulila wished residents a peaceful festive season, reiterating the need for collective responsibility, caution and foresight to ensure that celebrations end safely and positively for all.

Traders buy and sell goats at the Kamuwongo livestock yard on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. |MWINGI TIMES

Interestingly,  the the drop in the price appear to defy the philosophy of the higher the supply the lower the price. Tuesday being a market day for Kamuwongo, the livestock yard also witnessed a drop in the number of goats that are usually brought to the market.

A goat dealer, Mwangangi Mulonzya, said it was a puzzle that despite the goat numbers being low the price had also dipped. He said that a large he goat that used to cost KSh. 15,000 or even KSh17,000 was being bought at KSh. 12,000 or  KSh13,000.

Mr Mwangangi further said a middle-size goat that was costing  about KSh.10,000 to KSh.11,000 was being bought for KSh.7,500 to KSh.8,000.

The small goats that were retailing at KSh7,000 were being bought for as little as KSh. 3,500 to KSh4,000.

It was really a bad day for residents who hoped to make a kill by selling their goats this Christmas season.

Embu DCP leaders when they addressed the press in Embu town on Monday, December 22, 2025. MWINGI TIMES|Brian Musyoka

The leaders accused the CS of engaging in dangerous political rhetoric that points to a possible plan to split the Mt Kenya region into two political blocs, a move they warned could inflame ethnic tensions and undermine national cohesion.

Speaking during a press briefing in Embu town on Monday 22nd December 2025 , the DCP leaders, led by Embu  Chairperson Joshua Kanake, said Ruku’s sentiments were reckless, divisive and unbecoming of a senior government official entrusted with national unity.

“These remarks are not accidental. They are calculated and politically motivated, aimed at sowing seeds of disunity among communities in Mt Kenya who have lived together peacefully for decades,” Kanake said.

He warned that such utterances, if left unchecked, risk reopening  political wounds in a region that has historically voted as a bloc but is now facing internal realignments ahead of 2027.

The leaders further questioned the silence of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), accusing the watchdog of selective application of the law when it comes to leaders allied to the ruling establishment.

“It is worrying that NCIC has gone quiet on this matter. When ordinary citizens speak, action is swift, but when Cabinet Secretaries make divisive remarks, there is deafening silence,” Kanake added.

DCP National Executive Committee member Steve Simba escalated the pressure, calling on Parliament to initiate impeachment proceedings against the CS, arguing that his remarks amount to ethnic polarization and tribal balkanization.

“We want to call upon Parliament to initiate an impeachment motion against CS Ruku over his tribal balkanization and ethnicity polarization. Such utterances should never come from a Cabinet Secretary,” Simba said.

Simba noted that Cabinet members are expected to rise above regional politics and instead champion unity, cohesion and equal development across the country.

The leaders maintained that every Kenyan has a constitutional right to live, work and participate politically in any part of the country without being subjected to tribal labeling or regional exclusion.

“Mt Kenya does not belong to one group or another. It belongs to all Kenyans who call it home. Dividing people along ethnic or regional lines is a betrayal of our Constitution,” Simba added.

Jane Karimi, turned her guns on Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, accusing her of tacitly supporting the narrative of splitting the Mt Kenya region for political expediency. "It is unfortunate and disappointing that a governor would be associated with calls to divide Mt Kenya. Such a push should not come from her office,” Karimi said.

She warned that leaders elected to serve should focus on development and service delivery rather than engaging in politics of exclusion and supremacy.

The DCP leaders urged President Dr William Ruto to act decisively, warning that failure to rein in senior officials accused of divisive politics could erode public trust in his administration’s commitment to national unity. They called on political leaders across the Mt Kenya region to reject rhetoric that pits communities against each other, saying the future of the region and the country lies in unity, inclusivity and issue-based politics as the 2027 elections draw closer.

Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku recently ignited political debate after openly arguing that Mt Kenya East should chart its own independent political path, separate from what he termed the dominance of Mt Kenya West in regional politics. Speaking at various public forums, Ruku said the eastern bloc of the mountain has for decades voted as part of a larger Mt Kenya basket but has little to show in terms of top national leadership and equitable resource allocation.