Gains in Ruto, Sakaja city five-day development tour

Nairobi has been a beehive of political activities as President William Ruto and Governor Sakaja John- son launched multiple projects in healthcare, housing, education and infrastructure across the city.

Thousands of residents turned up to witness the development tour, with Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki embracing the ‘Mbwekse’ greeting — Governor Sakaja’s signature slogan — symbolised by two fists held together in the air. Many key projects are now set for completion.

One of the stand-out initiatives is the 400-bed Mutuini County Hospital, scheduled for completion by August.

The facility is expected to help decongest major referral hospitals by offering specialised services such as ICU, HDU and renal care.

“This facility is crucial for the people of Nairobi, and we will en- sure it is completed on time,” Ruto said.

“The contractors will remain on site, and I will be back in August to officially open it.”

Sakaja said the hospital will have a great impact on healthcare accessibility.

“We are improving our health infrastructure to ensure Nai- robians receive quality care close to home,” he said.

Another major project launched during the tour was the Umoja Sewerage System, part of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Programme.

This initiative aims to rehabilitate 260km of sewer lines in areas such as Umoja, Kayole and Donholm.

“This will put an end to the perennial drainage challenges in Nairobi. We shall push together and ensure it is completed on time,” Ruto said.

Sakaja addressed concerns about poor drainage and sanitation, promising swift action.

“We cannot allow our people to live in areas prone to flooding and poor sanitation,” he said. “These projects will restore dignity to Nairobi residents.”

Sakaja’s urban renewal programme continues to take shape, with affordable housing projects underway in Woodley, while developments in Pangani and Jevanjee are ongoing.

Projects in Bahati and Kariobangi North are awaiting approval. The Southlands Lang’ata Affordable Housing Project, a Sh25 billion initiative, was another major highlight of the development tour.

This project will deliver 15,000 housing units, helping to address Nairobi’s housing crisis, while creating jobs.

“Today, we take a bold step in ensuring Nairobians have access to dignified, affordable housing,” Ruto said.

Sakaja said the housing projects will have a long-term impact. “We are not just building houses, we are building communities,” he said.

“My administration is committed to ensuring that every Nairobi resident benefits from this transformation.”

A major highlight of the tour was the expansion of the Dishi Na County school feeding programme, which now serves more than 316,000 learners in 230 public schools across all 17 subcounties.

The leaders also launched the Zawadi Comprehensive School Central Kitchen, where Ruto ap- proved Sakaja’s request to include a chapati-making machine in the programme.

“I have heard about it and I will buy it. Governor, find a machine that can produce chapatis in large numbers, and we will incorporate it into Dishi Na County,” Ruto promised.