The leaders noted that the government’s commitment to building and upgrading stadiums nationwide demonstrates a clear intention to nurture grassroots talent and elevate Kenya’s football standards to regional and international levels.

Speaking during a dinner gala held in Embu Town on Thursday evening where outstanding grassroots teams, coaches, and referees were recognized, FKF Eastern Region NEC Member Charles Njagi said the government’s efforts were transforming the sporting landscape.

Njagi urged the youth to steer clear of divisive political debates around the “one-term or two-term” narratives, noting that such discussions derail national progress.

“We must shift our focus from political rhetoric to tangible results. What will shape our future is the investment being made in young people,” he said.

He added that the administration’s work in constructing and refurbishing stadiums across the country was a strong reason for Kenyans to support it for another term.

“In almost every county, a stadium has either been built or is under construction. That alone is a compelling reason to back this government,” Njagi said.

Meru County Executive Committee Member for Youth Affairs and Sports Elias Murega echoed the sentiments, saying the President William Ruto administration had demonstrated unmatched dedication to the growth of sports in Kenya.

Murega praised President Ruto for his unwavering support for the national team, Harambee Stars, during the recently concluded CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN).

“As much as we are quick to criticize the government when things go wrong, we should equally acknowledge its positive strides, especially in promoting sports,” he said.

Speaking at Rukuriri Tea Factory in Embu county when he met farmers , the factory chairman Joseph Rwanjau dismissed the move, insisting that only human taste can accurately determine a tea’s true flavor. He said international buyers prefer the traditional biological testing method and warned that adopting machine-based testing would negatively affect Kenya’s exports.

“We prefer biological testing. The taste of a human being cannot be the taste of a machine. We tried machine testing before, but the buyers refused,” said Rwanjau.

He said it would be disastrous to dictate new testing methods to the market, noting that the tea industry thrives on consumer trust built over decades through biological tasting.

Rwanjau also dismissed allegations that tea farmers from the Eastern region receive higher bonuses than those in the Western, terming the claims as unfounded. He said tea quality is the only factor that determines pricing and bonus payments.

“Tea prices are determined purely by quality, not region. Rukuriri’s competitive edge and high bonus payments are due to the quality of leaf we produce and our commitment to value addition,” he stated.

To sustain higher earnings, Rwanjau announced that the factory has invested KSh 10 million in a new tea-packing machine, which has already been imported and will begin operations in December. He said the new equipment will increase the share of locally sold, value-added products from 2 percent to 10 percent, ensuring higher returns for farmers in the next payment cycle.

He attributed the factory’s strong financial performance to its focus on value addition, including production of branded tea bags and premium tea leaves.

Rwanjau further revealed that Rukuriri Tea Factory is focusing on expanding raw tea production. This year, he said, the factory has collected 1.7 million kilograms of green leaf, up from 1.6 million kilograms during the same period last year.

However, he raised concern over the delayed completion of the factory’s orthodox tea processing line, saying the setback has limited the factory’s ability to diversify and improve bonus payments.

The chairman also said fertilizer for farmers has already arrived at the Port of Mombasa and will be distributed soon to boost productivity.

He emphasized that increasing production volumes would reduce the average cost of production and, in turn, raise overall earnings for both the factory and its farmers.

The push for machine-based tea testing stems from growing discontent among tea farmers, particularly in the Rift Valley, who claim that the traditional biological grading system has been unfair and inconsistent, leading to lower bonuses for their produce. Many of these farmers argue that human-led tasting is prone to bias and subjective judgment, and they believe that introducing technology could bring transparency and uniformity to the grading process,  a proposal that has now sparked sharp debate across Kenya’s tea-growing regions.

Ruku warned that deviations from approved systems undermine professionalism in the public sector and create opportunities for corruption and nepotism.

He called on Human Resources (HR) officers to serve as “custodians of integrity and accountability” within the public service, stressing that counties must align their recruitment practices with National standards to promote transparency and merit-based employment.

“The government of President William Ruto is committed to ensuring we have a very effective and efficient administration on behalf of the people of Kenya. This can only be achieved if Human Resources managers and directors synchronise their efforts to run day-to-day public affairs effectively,” Ruku said.

The CS cautioned against irregular salary payments and unauthorised appointments that inflate National and County wage bills, saying such practices derail development projects. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening HR management systems to promote efficiency, fairness, and productivity across all levels of public administration.

Speaking in Naivasha during the opening of the 29th Annual National Human Resource Management (HRM) Conference, Ruku revealed that a recent audit across Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Counties had exposed widespread malpractices in HR departments.

He said some officers had turned job recruitment into a commercial enterprise by selling employment opportunities, falsifying credentials, and manipulating merit-based selection systems.

“The audit uncovered systemic collusion between some HR officers and job seekers involving the sale of employment opportunities and falsification of academic credentials. This behaviour undermines service delivery, erodes public trust, and costs our economy billions,” he stated.

Ruku declared that any HR practitioner found guilty of corruption would face deregistration, prosecution, and a permanent ban from the profession.

“Let me be clear, the era of impunity is over. We are working with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) to ensure those who have commercialised recruitment are punished,” he warned.

The conference, attended by over 1,000 HR professionals from across the country, was held under the theme “Human Capital: Africa’s Growth Currency in a 4D World; Digital, Diverse, Decentralised, and Dynamic.”

Ruku praised the IHRM for promoting professionalism, ethics, and innovation in workplace management, noting that the organisation continues to play a key role in aligning Kenya’s workforce with the country’s development agenda.

“Your efforts have contributed to the progressive labour practices and good governance we enjoy today,” he said.

The CS underscored the importance of human capital as Africa’s most valuable resource, noting that nations investing in their people will lead the future in innovation, productivity, and prosperity.

 “The future of Africa will not be determined by natural resources, but by our people. Human capital is indeed the real currency of growth for Africa,” he said.

Ruku highlighted that President Ruto’s administration has placed people at the centre of national transformation through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on empowering communities and creating opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, MSMEs, housing, healthcare, and the digital economy.

He cited the Affordable Housing Programme as a prime example of human capital-driven transformation, noting that it not only develops infrastructure but also creates jobs, dignity, and opportunities for youth and local enterprises.

“The success of BETA depends on a qualified, ethical, and motivated workforce,” he added.

Ruku challenged HR professionals to lead efforts in rebuilding trust and integrity in both the public and private sectors.

HR professionals are the bridge between policy and performance. You must champion meritocracy, fairness, and accountability,” he told the delegates.

He further highlighted the government’s collaboration with the IHRM and the Public Service Commission to strengthen systems promoting meritocracy, efficiency, and continuous professional development.

Turning to the youth, Ruku emphasised the importance of equipping them with digital and entrepreneurial skills through initiatives such as the Ajira Digital Programme, which trains young people in coding, digital marketing, and online content creation.

 “Our youth represent the digital dimension of this 4D world. We must create workplaces that are inclusive, dynamic, and youth-friendly,” he said.

Ruku reaffirmed the government’s support for IHRM’s efforts to eliminate impostors and unethical individuals from the profession.

 “Kenya needs ethical, competent, and responsible HR professionals we can trust to steward our greatest national asset,  our people,” he concluded, as he officially declared the 29th Annual HRM Conference open.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ndambuki said that to avert the massive loss of livestock experienced during prolonged dry spells in the Lower Eastern region, TWWDA has developed a comprehensive plan to guarantee sufficient water supply for livestock throughout the year. “Livestock keeping is the main economic activity for the people of Kajiado and parts of Lower Eastern. When animals die due to lack of water, families lose their primary source of income. As Tanathi, we are determined to address this challenge,” she said.

Ndambuki made the remarks while leading the TWWDA board on an inspection tour of the Sh17 million Kaya Earth Dam project in Kyuso Ward, Kitui County. Once completed, the dam will serve at least 150 households. She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting President William Ruto’s goal of providing adequate water to underserved communities in the Lower Eastern region and across the country.

 “We are implementing water projects in remote areas like Kaya in line with President Ruto’s Bottom-Up Transformational Agenda. Our mission is to make clean and reliable water accessible to people at the grassroots,” Ndambuki added.

The chairperson noted that the board was impressed by the contractor’s performance, observing that the project was already 60 percent complete. Local residents expressed optimism about the project’s impact. Rebecca Kyambi, a villager whose late husband donated the land for the dam, said the new water source would help address numerous social challenges faced by the community. “We have suffered severe water shortages for years. The nearest source is several kilometers away, and when young women take long to fetch water, they are often reprimanded by their husbands out of suspicion,” said Kyambi.

She added that once the project is complete, such issues will be a thing of the past as locals will have easy access to water, significantly reducing the time spent fetching it.

Community leader Daniel Katee lauded the project, describing it as a posthumous honor to Musili Mwangangi, who donated his land to make the project a reality. “The Kaya Dam is a dream come true for our community. It will forever honor the late Mwangangi’s selfless contribution to ensuring we have a reliable water source,” said Katee.

Addressing supporters after receiving defectors from rival parties, Mbui launched a scathing attack on the Kenya Kwanza government, saying it had “betrayed the trust of Mbeere people” by failing to deliver on key development pledges.

“We gave them 87 percent of our votes. They promised us roads, the Kamumu Dam, jobs for our youth. Three years later, there is nothing to show for it,” Mbui stated.

He accused the ruling Coalition of hypocrisy, saying the same leaders who “lied” to residents in 2022 were now back with another candidate, still asking for votes without fulfilling a single commitment.

Mbui urged locals to use the by-election as a protest vote against the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“The President should first deliver on his promises before sending his candidate here. We don’t want more empty words. We want action,” he said.

He also hit out at former Mbeere North MP-turned-Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, accusing him of meddling in Mbeere North politics instead of focusing on his national duties. “Let the people decide freely without interference from those in government,” he added.

Mbui is facing off against UDA’s Leonard Muthende and Democratic Party’s Newton Karish in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested by-election.

With just weeks to the poll, all candidates are crisscrossing the constituency in an all-out push for votes; a contest that will test both local loyalty and the Kenya Kwanza government’s influence in the region.

The upcoming Mbeere North by-election has morphed into a fierce showdown between the Government and the Opposition, with both camps viewing it as a test of political dominance in Embu County ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

Former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, who has since fallen out with President William Ruto, has thrown his weight behind Democratic Party (DP) candidate Newton Karish. Muturi is joined by former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti, further strengthening the Opposition’s hand in the race.

On the other side, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, former Mbeere North MP Muriuki Njagagua, and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire are leading an aggressive campaign to secure victory for the UDA candidate, Leonard Muthende, the Government’s preferred choice.

Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) leader Moses Kuria who resigned as President William Ruto's advisor is backing Duncan Mbui, framing the contest as a chance for locals to hold the government accountable for unmet promises.

Political analysts say the outcome of the by-election will go beyond Mbeere North, potentially redrawing political alliances and shaping the balance of power in the wider Mount Kenya East region ahead of 2027.