There's nothing wrong for me working with Ruto govt-Malombe

The governor, elected under the Wiper Patriotic Front ticket, made the remarks during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the County Government of Kitui and the Board of Management of Tiva Secondary School. The agreement paves the way for the county to drill and equip a borehole at the school before the end of this year.

Governor Malombe said that while he remains firmly aligned with Wiper Party leadership, his duty as governor is to embrace opportunities brought to Kitui by the national government. He noted that some critics have questioned his cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration, but insisted that development should transcend political divides.“Many will come with stories like why the governor is supporting this or that. Don’t worry, I don’t get confused, I know my stand. Even the Wiper leader, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, knows my stand. I don’t get confused,” he stated.

The governor highlighted the range of national projects currently underway in Kitui County in preparation for Mashujaa Day celebrations in October. They include major road upgrades, the construction of new buildings, and the development of Ithookwe stadium to international standards. Malombe described the initiatives as a unique opportunity for the county and urged residents to fully support them.“Everything that is set to be done in this county by the national government will be delivered to Kitui residents. Let us embrace it,” he said.

The partnership with Tiva Secondary School is one of the smaller but equally significant initiatives, according to Dr Malombe. By providing a reliable water source, the borehole project is expected to improve the learning environment for students and teachers, as well as boost surrounding communities. He added that investment in education goes beyond classrooms and has the potential to attract further development to underserved areas. “By embracing this MoU, you have shown that leadership in education is not just about managing classrooms, but about creating an ecosystem in which students, teachers and communities can flourish,” he remarked.

Political observers note that Malombe’s remarks come at a time when relations between national and county governments are under increasing scrutiny, particularly in regions where opposition parties dominate. His statement may be viewed as a pragmatic approach aimed at ensuring Kitui benefits fully from national development programmes, even as he maintains his loyalty to the Wiper Patriotic Front.

For residents, the governor’s message is clear: politics should not obstruct service delivery. With roads, infrastructure and sports facilities being modernised, and schools such as Tiva set to benefit from county–national government partnerships, Malombe’s call reflects a broader appeal for unity in driving development across Kitui.

As the countdown to Mashujaa Day continues, Kitui is set to showcase some of these projects as part of the national celebrations. For Malombe, the events serve not just as a celebration of heroes, but as a reminder that progress is best achieved when leaders put people above politics.