By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking after a Sunday Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Cathedral in Meru Town, Ruku said Uhuru and other leaders from Mt Kenya region had traversed the country assuring Kenyans that after Uhuru completed his constitutionally mandated 10 years in office, President Ruto would equally be supported to serve his two five-year terms.

He questioned why the two leaders were now, in his view, seeking to rally the region against President Ruto before the completion of his constitutional tenure. "They went across the country asking Kenyans to support this arrangement. Why are they now making the people of Mt Kenya appear as though they cannot honour a promise they made before the nation?" Ruku posed.

The Cabinet Secretary accused the two leaders of spreading what he termed as false narratives that the Kenya Kwanza administration had sidelined the Mt Kenya region, saying such claims were intended to create divisions and advance personal political interests rather than promote development.

Ruku further said that Gachagua was turning his personal political troubles into a community issue following his removal from office. He argued that the former Deputy President was removed by Members of Parliament over what he described as failure to effectively discharge his constitutional responsibilities and should not drag the entire Mt Kenya region into his political battles.

The Cabinet Secretary maintained that President Ruto had no dispute with the Mt Kenya region, stating  the country's most influential ministries, state departments and government positions are  headed by leaders from Mt Kenya West. He added that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki occupies the only top-ranking office currently held by a leader from Mt Kenya East.

Ruku further stated that Gachagua and some leaders from Mt Kenya West were seeking to undermine Deputy President Kindiki by subjecting him to constant criticism and disrespect while simultaneously urging residents to abandon the Kenya Kwanza administration.

He said such political attacks were divisive and insisted that Mt Kenya East would remain firmly in government and continue supporting President Ruto's development agenda.

"Mt Kenya East will remain in government. We shall continue supporting President Ruto because our priority is development, unity and ensuring our people benefit from government programmes," he said.

Ruku maintained that President Ruto had continued implementing development projects across the country, including in the Mt Kenya East region that had been been neglected, quoting data from KNBS.

He urged residents to reject leaders whom he accused of pursuing personal political interests through misinformation, expressing confidence that the Mt Kenya region would overwhelmingly support President Ruto's re-election in the 2027 General Election.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking in Mauche, Njoro Constituency, Nakuru County, Ruku accused Gachagua of attempting to hold the Mt. Kenya region at ransom through what he described as divisive politics and sustained attacks against the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The Cabinet Secretary dismissed claims that the Mt. Kenya region had fallen out with President William Ruto, arguing that the differences were personal to Gachagua following his impeachment from office. "There is no problem between the Kikuyu community and President William Ruto. The problem is one individual, Rigathi Gachagua, who has a personal grievance after he was impeached for failing to discharge his responsibilities as the Deputy President," Ruku said.

He noted that both Gachagua and Kindiki come from the Mt. Kenya region but said the two leaders had demonstrated contrasting records in office.

According to Ruku, Kindiki has distinguished himself through effective leadership, loyalty and service as Deputy President, earning President Ruto's confidence, while Gachagua failed to meet the expectations of the office.

The Cabinet Secretary further accused the former Deputy President of pursuing politics driven by vengeance and hatred, urging him to abandon divisive rhetoric and instead support national unity and development.

Ruku maintained that Kindiki remains President Ruto's trusted deputy and that his position in government was secure. He dismissed speculation over the Deputy President's future, saying President Ruto had full confidence in Kindiki and intends to retain him as his running mate in the 2027 General Election.

He also rejected assertions that the Mt. Kenya region was abandoning the Kenya Kwanza administration, insisting that residents continue to support the government's development agenda and appreciate ongoing infrastructure and economic programmes.

Ruku urged leaders to focus on uniting the country instead of engaging in political campaigns that foster division, saying cooperation between leaders and citizens would accelerate development and improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.

He added that the Mt. Kenya region has benefited significantly from key government appointments and development initiatives under the Kenya Kwanza administration, and called on residents to safeguard those gains by remaining united behind President Ruto, Deputy President Kindiki and the government.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking today during the burial of the late Francis Nzilu Mitau in Kiviu, Miambani Ward, Kitui Central Constituency, Senator Wambua said county health facilities are in a state of decay. According to him, many patients and residents have been left to fend for themselves with no meaningful health care provision.

He has further revealed that county hospitals have no working systems and continue to charge patients for every service, including the purchase of drugs, despite the county government receiving substantial equitable share allocations from the National Government, enough to cater for universal affordable health care to county residents. 

The Senator revealed that he has several pending statements at the floor of the Senate seeking answers from the governor on why health care remains “a bitter pill to swallow” for Kitui residents. 

He also addressed political speculation, reassuring residents and the Kamba community that Wiper Party Leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka remains firmly in the race to unseat President William Ruto on the 10th August 2027 General Election. 

Senator Wambua dismissed reports of an alleged meeting between Kalonzo and President Ruto as fake news, terming it propaganda by government bloggers who are already rattled by Kalonzo’s candidature under the United Alternative Government coalition.

By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking at Ontulili in Buuri Constituency, Meru County, Ruku singled out his Cabinet colleague, Cooperative Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, and other ODM leaders, accusing them of undermining Prof. Kindiki through persistent public debate over the Deputy President's position.

"The office of the Deputy President is occupied. It is wrong for leaders to continue discussing it as though it were vacant. Such conversations amount to disrespect to the Deputy President and the institution he serves," Ruku said.

The CS maintained that Prof. Kindiki remains President William Ruto's preferred running mate for the 2027 General Election and dismissed speculation about possible changes to the Kenya Kwanza ticket.

Ruku argued that ODM leaders should instead focus on other political positions that may emerge through future negotiations rather than targeting the Deputy President's office.

He further observed that leaders from the Western region already hold influential positions in government, including the Prime Cabinet Secretary's office and the Speaker of the National Assembly, adding that the Mt Kenya region would not accept being sidelined in the  political arrangements ahead of the 2027 polls.

"The Mt Kenya region will firmly stand behind the Ruto-Kindiki ticket in 2027. Thereafter, we shall rally behind Prof. Kindiki for the presidency in 2032," he said.

While acknowledging that political negotiations are a normal feature of coalition politics, Ruku said such engagements should be conducted respectfully and without undermining leaders already serving in constitutional offices.

"It is acceptable for political parties to negotiate for positions, but not in the manner some ODM leaders are doing by creating the impression that the Deputy President's office is up for grabs," he added.

The Cabinet Secretary also turned his attention to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of plotting against President Ruto. Ruku claimed that similar attempts by some leaders from the Mt Kenya West region to undermine former President Daniel arap Moi had failed, and predicted that efforts against President Ruto would meet the same fate.

He reaffirmed that the Mt Kenya region would continue supporting President Ruto "come rain or sunshine," saying the Kenya Kwanza administration remains united and focused on implementing its development agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ruku was accompanied by MPs Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), Patrick Munene (Chuka Igamba Ng'ombe) and John Bwire (Taveta) who echoed his sentiments throwing their weight behind President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki for second term in 2027)

By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT 

The County Ministry of Roads, Public Works and Transport through the  Department of Transport and Boda Boda has conducted a public awareness and sensitisation forum to familiarise key road users and the wider community with the new traffic control system and promote compliance with traffic rules.

The forum, brought together key players in the transport sector, Kitui Municipality officers,  Kitui Base Commander, school administrators, representatives from Kitui Chamber of Commerce,  churches/mosque, PWDs, County Enforcement officers, and members of the press, underscoring the importance of a coordinated approach in ensuring the success of the new traffic management system.

The sensitisation programme combined practical demonstrations at the AIC Township intersection with a theory session held at a Kitui hotel. 

Speaking during the forum, Director Benard Mulevu  from the County Department of Transport & Boda Boda, who represented the Chief Officer, Transport & Boda Boda, underscored the importance of public awareness in ensuring that the new infrastructure achieves its intended purpose. 

Boda boda leaders and transport stakeholders were urged to take the lead in educating their members on responsible road use, while school administrators were encouraged to sensitise learners on safe road-crossing practices.

The County Government has called on motorists, boda boda riders, pedestrians and other road users to familiarise themselves with the new traffic signals and cooperate with authorities as the system becomes fully operational.

The message from the sensitisation forum was clear underscores the importance of taking responsibility when using roads. ",Safer roads begin with informed and responsible road users", the message read.

Kitui Central Sub County Administrator Gibson Kathoka and senior officers from the Ministry were also present.