By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

The President's adviser on financial inclusion, Moses Banda told journalists on Monday during the sensitisation for chiefs and their assistants from Mwingi Central that they were key in implementing BETA programs since they were the first and last contacts between citizens and the State. "Being the last mile of government at the grassroots,  chiefs are the link between government policy and the people.  Without them, BETA cannot succeed ", observed Banda.

Banda said that all the Kitui County’s 638 chiefs were grouped into 12 clusters for five days in order to be sensitised on crucial BETA programs. Some of President’s pet projects comprising of BETA are about heathcare, digital and creative economy, affordable housing,  healthcare and SMEs.

Chiefs will be expected to report about which BETA programs work and which don't in order for the Kenya Kwanza administration to devise interventions that improve service delivery to wananchi.

By JOHN MUSEMBI 

The week is set to have  relatively high daytime temperatures given the maximum readings on thermometers will vary between  23°C and 34°C. There is also forecast episodes of cold spells since the minimum temperatures are likely to oscillate between 13°C and 22°C.

Very strong winds will blow across most parts of Kitui county at a speed of up to 25 knots.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking during the Annual General Meeting of Kirindine Senior School in Igembe South Constituency, Meru County, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku said Mt Kenya East remains firmly behind the Kenya Kwanza administration and will stand with President Ruto and Prof. Kindiki in 2027.

Ruku dismissed suggestions that Deputy President Kindiki lacks political support in the region, saying those doubting his influence would be surprised by the outcome of the next General Election.

"The people of Mt Kenya East understand the importance of remaining engaged with the national government. They have witnessed the implementation of key development projects under the Kenya Kwanza administration and will continue supporting President Ruto and his deputy," said the Cabinet Secretary.

He accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of attempting to persuade residents to distance themselves from the government, arguing that such efforts would not succeed because the region continues to benefit from ongoing investments in infrastructure and public services.

Ruku further dismissed attempts to use the Ol Kalou by-election as a barometer of political sentiment across the Mt Kenya region, maintaining that the result was isolated and should not be interpreted as the region's position on national politics.

The Cabinet Secretary was joined by Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi and Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni, who echoed his remarks and pledged continued support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The three leaders said the government under the stewardship of President William Ruto has initiated and implemented several transformative development projects across the Mt Kenya East region, improving infrastructure, expanding access to public services and enhancing livelihoods.

They said the visible development record has strengthened residents' confidence in the Kenya Kwanza administration, adding that the region will remain firmly behind President Ruto and Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki as they seek a second term in the 2027 General Election.

The leaders urged residents to remain united and continue supporting government programmes aimed at accelerating economic growth, creating employment opportunities and improving service delivery, saying sustained collaboration with the national government would ensure the region continues to benefit from ongoing and future development initiatives.

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Dated:16/7/2026

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Mbai accused Mutua of defying the President by failing to dissolve the Maendeleo Chap Chap Party despite what he said was a request from President Ruto for leaders serving in government to fold their political parties at will. "Even after failing to honour the President's call to dissolve his party, Mutua continues to finance Maendeleo Chap Chap using earnings from his position as a Cabinet Secretary in President Ruto's administration," Mbai alleged.

Records indicated that Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the Senate Speaker Amason Kingi have already respectively folded their Amani National Congress and the Pan African Allaince parties and joined UDA.

Mbai, a second-term UDA legislator, said leaders from the Ukambani region who support the Kenya Kwanza administration had grown frustrated with Mutua's conduct and were demanding his removal if he failed to dissolve MCC within 10 days.

The Kitui East MP spoke on Monday during a special thanksgiving service held at a church in Zombe Market in Kitui East Constituency to celebrate his recovery from a prolonged illness.

"If Mutua does not dissolve his party within 10 days, President Ruto should dismiss him and appoint Musyoka Kawaya as Cabinet Secretary instead," Mbai said.

His remarks were echoed by State House Director of Coordination Boniface Musambi, who attended the event. Among the leaders present were Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka, Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai, Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kevin Katisya, and UDA aspirant for the Mwingi Central parliamentary seat Joe Mutambu.

Mbai argued that Mutua's continued leadership of the Maendeleo Chap Chap Party could undermine political unity in the Ukambani region at a time when Kenya Kwanza leaders are seeking to consolidate support for President Ruto's re-election bid in the 2027 General Election.

Mbai said government-allied leaders did not want Mutua to become an obstacle to President Ruto's campaigns in the region and would formally petition the President to remove him from the Cabinet should he fail to dissolve MCC within the stipulated period.

According to MP Mbai, Kenya Kwanza leaders already face formidable political competition in the region from Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper Party and Charity Ngilu's Narc-Kenya Party, making internal rivalry among parties allied to the government unnecessary and counterproductive. "We should not allow political formations that create divisions or weaken our region's political alignment. We need to face our political rivals as a united front within the government," he said.

The thanksgiving service, which marked Mbai's recovery after a prolonged illness, attracted political leaders, religious leaders and hundreds of residents from across Kitui East Constituency.