The president said all regions should be developed equitably. At the Eastern Kenya Integrated College in Mitaboni, Machakos county, President Ruto said no part of the country will be left behind.

Kenya Kwanza government is particularly targeting the three Ukambani counties of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui for affordable housing and fresh produce market programmes, according to a communique from Presidential Communication Service shared with the media.

President Ruto said his government had set aside KSh 45 billion to fund the construction of affordable houses, building student hostels and developing fresh produce markets in Ukambani.

Further, President Dr William Ruto said that more goodies were lined up in the former Vice President Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka's political home turf.

KSh 5.5 billion has been set aside to build roads in Ukambani while another similar allocation has been made for electricity connections.

"It is not right or fair for any part to remain behind. We are one nation, one people with a common destiny", said the fifth president of Kenya.

President Ruto further said that his government will transform Ukambani's food security through irrigation terming it as the "next frontier ". This, he said, will be helped by completion of Thwake Dam which is in the final stages.

"The next frontier for agricultural transformation is irrigation and Ukambani has huge potential", the president outlined.

During the visit, it was revealed that the Eastern Integrated College had applied for a Letter of Interim Authority and charter to offer degree courses. The Ministry of Education outlined the process they need to follow in order to achieve those dreams.

Of note is that this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations will be held at Ithookwe International Stadium in Kitui County and President Ruto-led government invested KSh 800 million for construction of the state-of-the-art stadium. The town will also benefit from upgrading of infrastructure around the stadium.

The president was accompanied by Labour CS Dr Alfred Mutua, Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, MPs Caleb Mule of Machakos Town, Joshua Mwalyo, Masinga and Kangundo's Fabian Muli.

Also present was former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, MCAs and other county leaders.

The teachers say tension has been brewing since JSS was integrated into primary schools, sparking friction with administrators who reportedly view them as rivals rather than colleagues.

According to the teachers, this has bred a hostile working environment marked by disrespect and mistreatment from both heads and staff in the institutions where they are stationed.

Led by Embu KUPPET Executive Secretary Jacob Karura, the educators are now demanding that the Government grants JSS full autonomy, saying such a move would restore their professional dignity.

They disclosed that a formal petition has already been forwarded to the National Assembly urging lawmakers to pass legislation that will anchor JSS as independent learning institutions.

Karura maintained that unless action is taken, the teachers are prepared to down their tools or seek redress in court to safeguard their careers and the Competency-Based Education (CBE), which they claim is being compromised by the current arrangement.

They further cautioned that lumping pre-primary, primary and junior secondary under a single management structure threatens the quality of education delivery.

The union leaders reiterated their push for JSS to have independent boards of management, distinct administrative structures and governance systems to strengthen CBE to ensure accountability and enhance learning outcomes.

Dr. Malombe emphasized the county government's commitment to ensuring clean water is supplied to all households in Kitui County, with water points accessible within a two-kilometer radius. "The county government is committed to ensuring clean water is supplied to all households in Kitui County and making water points as close as a distance of two kilometers for easy accessibility of clean and reliable water sources," he stated.

The Governor urged residents to contribute a small fee for water usage to facilitate proper management and maintenance of the project. "It's a must for this project to be managed professionally. Don't charge a lot of money, but make a cost that can manage and maintain this project," Dr. Malombe urged.

Gilbert Kamanga, National Director of World Vision Kenya, appealed to the county government to consider installing solar power to pump water from the Kangu Kangu project, reducing electricity costs and subsequently the amount residents would pay for water. "I appeal to you, Your Excellency, with your government to ensure there is a constant flow of this water, and to achieve this is by installing solar power," Kamanga stated.

The Kangu Kangu water project is expected to significantly improve the lives and lifestyles of residents in Kitui South, providing them with access to clean and reliable water for domestic and irrigation use.

Speaking in Embu town during the swearing-in ceremony of the board, Governor Mbarire emphasized that her administration had zero tolerance for corruption and malpractice.

She reminded the new team that they carry a heavy responsibility of ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in recruitment processes, stressing that the people of Embu deserve nothing less.

Mbarire noted that previous boards had been tainted by corruption scandals, which undermined the credibility of the county government. She cited cases where the County Assembly was forced to overturn irregular appointments due to bribery allegations.

One of the most notable cases, she recalled, was the recent cancellation of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers’ recruitment, which was nullified after claims of bribery rocked the process.

The governor called on the new board members to break away from the negative legacy left by their predecessors and to set a new standard of integrity in public service management.

She further urged them to handle upcoming recruitments, including the hiring of chief officers and ECDE teachers, with utmost diligence and impartiality to restore public confidence.

Mbarire expressed confidence that the new team has the capacity to rise above past mistakes and deliver on its mandate. She assured them of her administration’s support in fulfilling their duties effectively.

The governor reiterated that her leadership is committed to rooting out corruption in all county offices, adding that clean governance was key to public service delivery and development.

“As long as I am governor, corruption will not be tolerated. Anyone found engaging in it will go home and face the law,” she declared, drawing applause from those present at the event.

Speaking during a public engagement at Kavengero in Mbeere North, CS Ruku questioned why Muturi and Kivuti, both of whom held senior positions in government, are now attempting to "mislead the community" and push it into what he termed as political isolation.

“You worked with the government for years, JB Muturi as a magistrate, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly for 10 years, and even Attorney General. Kivuti also served as a senator. Why now mislead the people of Mbeere into opposing the very government that can help them?” Ruku posed, addressing a large crowd.

He challenged the two to stop presenting aspirants with weak academic and leadership credentials, saying that if they were genuinely committed to helping the community, they would encourage well-educated individuals capable of being appointed to powerful House committees and lobbying effectively for development resources.

“If they truly care about Mbeere, let them bring their own sons who are educated, people who can walk into Parliament, get committee placements, and fight for development. Leadership is not just about popularity; it’s about the capacity to deliver,” Ruku said.

However, the Cabinet Secretary was quick to clarify that the people of Mbeere have no personal issues with Muturi or Kivuti. He expressed deep respect for their past contributions but urged them not to drag personal grievances into the political space.

“JB, I respect you so much. But your differences with the President should not be settled at the expense of the Mbeere community,” he said.

Ruku warned against a return to clan-based and divisive politics, which he said belong to the past. He accused the two leaders of reviving outdated political tactics aimed at splintering the community rather than uniting it around a shared development agenda.

“Those pushing clan politics in Mbeere North have no space. That kind of politics is behind us because what our people need now is unity and development,” he declared.

Ruku highlighted several ongoing and upcoming development projects in Mbeere North as proof of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment. These include the planned tarmacking of the Kathangeri–Kavengero–Kanyuambora road, which he described as a game-changer for local connectivity, trade, and transport.

He also noted that the tarmacking of the Kanyuambora–Kamumu–Soko–Nthawa road was in progress, lauding President William Ruto for prioritising infrastructure in the region. “This is what development looks like. These roads will open markets, link villages, and uplift lives,” he noted.

Additionally, Ruku revealed that the funds for completing the Kanyuambora irrigation project will be available, ensuring the project is completed before December, with disbursement expected next week. He said the initiative will transform agriculture in the area, enhance food security, and economically empower hundreds of households.

“Our people depend on farming. Once the irrigation project starts, we shall stop talking about hunger. That is the kind of empowerment we’re bringing to Mbeere North,” he added.

Ruku urged locals to stay firmly behind President Ruto’s administration, warning against being misled by leaders who want to alienate the region from national development.

“We are in government, and that’s where we must stay. Anyone telling you to walk away from that is playing politics with your future,” he cautioned.

He called for unity among leaders and the public, saying only a united community can attract meaningful development.

“Politics of division and clanism will not build a single road or feed a single family. Mbeere understands one language, development,” he said.