The initiative forms part of Governor Cecily Mbarire’s broader development agenda focused on strengthening connectivity, stimulating trade, and uplifting livelihoods across the county.

Among the roads set for improvement are three access roads within Embu Town, Rwika Market Road in Mbeere South, Siakago Market Road in Mbeere North, and the Runyenjes Town exit in Runyenjes Constituency.

In addition to tarmacking, the works will include installation of street lighting, construction of drainage systems and culverts, as well as establishment of pedestrian walkways to enhance safety and accessibility.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Roads, Transport and Public Works, Francis Ndwiga, said the upgrades will significantly improve mobility for residents, traders and motorists by providing safer and more efficient transport networks.

Speaking during the official handover of project sites to contractors on Wednesday, Ndwiga noted that the improved roads are expected to spur sustainable economic growth by easing transportation of farm produce and goods, thereby supporting farmers and local enterprises.

Rwika Market is among the areas poised to benefit greatly from the project. The market hosts the Jeremiah Nyagah National Polytechnic, which has a student population exceeding 6,000.

The institution’s Trustee and former Kamukunji MP, Norman Nyaga, described the road upgrade as a long-overdue development that will unlock new investment opportunities in the area.

He observed that the poor condition of the road had previously hindered growth at the institution, contributing to stagnation in student enrollment due to accessibility challenges. He expressed optimism that the improved road network will attract more learners and ease movement to and from the institution.

Kirimari Ward MCA Ibrahim Swaleh also welcomed the initiative in Embu Town, saying it will enhance the business environment and improve movement within the town.

He pointed out that traders have for years endured hardships caused by dusty conditions during dry seasons and muddy roads during rains, affecting business operations.

Swaleh further urged the County Government of Embu to prioritize tarmacking of roads in urban centres over repeated graveling, terming bitumen roads as more durable, cost-effective and sustainable in the long run.

‎"I have been talking about wild animals for a long time. Recently we had a meeting with KWS  officials who assured us they will remove wild animals from here. That has not happened.

‎I want to remind KWS to take wild animals from our ward to stop destroying our environment and injuring residents", said the MCA.

‎He condemned KWS saying that there was no use of reacting in response when the wild animals kill residents. He reminded them that human life is move valuable than that of a wild animal and they should act immediately when people's lives are endangered by wild animals. 

‎Additionally, he told MWINGI TIMES that Kyanyaa residents in Kitui South spotted elephants. They were trekking among households and were likely to cause harm in their return to their habitat, Tsavo National Park which was 40km away.

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The deceased, identified as Cecilia Matheka alias Kalumu, a resident of Mbitini Location in Kisasi Sub-County, was discovered lifeless on a lodging bed on Tuesday, 10th February 2026, under circumstances believed to involve physical assault.

According to police reports, officers from Mbitini Police Station, accompanied by Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), responded to the incident after it was reported by a concerned resident. Upon arrival at the scene, the officers found the woman unresponsive, naked, with a swollen face and visible bruises on her body, raising suspicions of foul play.

Confirming the incident, Kisasi Sub-County Police Commander Jectone Opengo revealed that the deceased had been involved in a physical altercation with another woman, identified as Conjestiner Mueni, several days prior to her death.The altercation was reportedly serious enough for the victim to formally report the matter at Mbitini Police Station.

Police records indicate that Cecilia had reported the assault and was issued with Occurrence Book (OB) number 11/07/02/2026, just days before her untimely death. Following this revelation, Conjestiner Mueni has been arrested and is being treated as the primary suspect as investigations continue.

After processing the scene, the body was transferred to the Kitui County Referral Hospital Mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.

Police have since launched comprehensive investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, as residents call for swift justice and enhanced security within Mbitini Market and its environs.

Several parts of the county have gone without electricity for years, even after the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) was established and began supplying power to rural areas across Kenya. As a result, only 40 percent of institutions, homesteads, markets and urban centres in Kitui County are connected to electricity, with a significant number of residents still excluded from the grid.

In a bid to reverse this trend, the county government, in partnership with the national government through REREC, has been working to improve electricity supply across the county to enhance livelihoods and stimulate economic growth. However, these efforts have been undermined by persistent vandalism and theft of power infrastructure.

County leaders have strongly condemned the destruction and theft of electricity materials, warning that the practice is discouraging progress and slowing down development in the energy sector. They noted that vandalism not only delays access to power but also forces the government to divert limited resources to reinstall damaged or stolen equipment.

To address electricity gaps, the county government and REREC have jointly committed KSh 80 million towards electricity projects across all the eight constituencies in Kitui County. The funds are aimed at ensuring equitable power distribution to households, institutions and business centres, thereby easing business operations and improving residents’ quality of life.

Speaking during the launch of several electrification projects in villages across different wards in Kitui Central, Kitui East, Kitui Rural and Kitui West constituencies, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Human Resources, Richard John Mwendandu, strongly condemned acts of vandalism.“Vandalism has been a major setback to electricity stability and progress. Some individuals have turned the theft of power supply materials into a business, making it difficult for communities to benefit fully from government electricity projects,” said Mwendandu. He warned that anyone found engaging in vandalism would face the full force of the law and urged residents to report any suspicious activities to security agencies.

The CECM cited cases where solar panels and lighting equipment had been stolen, forcing the government to incur extra costs to reinstall infrastructure, while residents remained in darkness for long periods.He called on communities to protect public projects and avoid actions that could land them in serious legal trouble.

Mwendandu further encouraged residents to embrace productive use of electricity by supporting youth to venture into income-generating activities that rely on power, noting that the government is committed to ensuring rural communities are not left behind in development.

Echoing these sentiments, REREC officer Mr Duncan Sadia urged residents to safeguard electricity projects, describing them as key drivers of economic empowerment. He appealed to the public to report vandalism cases to local security officers or REREC offices for appropriate action.

Chief Officer for Energy and Mineral Resources county government of Kitui Mr Henry Nyamai, said the KSh 80 million projects are set to benefit households and institutions across all constituencies. He added that the county government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with REREC to pool resources and accelerate electricity connectivity across Kitui County.

‎"March is expected to mark the onset of the rainfall season over several parts of the County, while April is anticipated to represent the peak of the season, with more widespread and enhanced rainfall distribution", said the weather report from Kenya Meteorological Department.

‎However, during the long rains season of March-April-May, the weatherman's forecast is that temperatures will be warmer than average over the whole county.

‎As for this week's forecast, morning times will be partly cloudy while the rest of the days are likely to be sunny.

‎Moreover, temperature may reach uncomfortable levels since the maximum reading on thermometer is forecast to be between 28°C and 37°C. The minimum temperature is likely to oscillate from 15°C to 24°C, said KMD.

‎As usual, expect wind to blow. This time, strong north-easterly to south-easterly winds of speed  of up to 25 knots or 12.86m/s are expected to be felt.

‎The KMD tasks local extension officers from county government to guide community members on the best farm practices to use in order to prepare for best farm yields. This is due to the adverse effects of climate change which erode resilience built over time by different agricultural stakeholders.

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