By Janet Nyamwamu
William Ruto is set to tour the Gusii region later this month, with a highly anticipated stop in West Mugirango Constituency on March 30.
The visit has been framed as both a development boost and a litmus test of the region’s evolving political alignment with the national government.
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka says the President’s visit will catalyze key projects and reinforce collaboration between the constituency and the State.
“We must work with the government and those in leadership to attract development. Numbers count in politics, and we are seeing increased support translating into actual projects on the ground,” Mogaka said.
The legislator noted that his administration has made significant progress despite losing nearly two and a half years to post-election court battles.
He revealed that stalled government- and donor-funded projects worth billions—including a KSh 2 billion Kuwait-backed initiative dating back to 2008—have now been revived under a new funding framework.
In the education sector, Mogaka credited Education CS Migos Ogamba for fast-tracking delayed projects, with five out of 15 institutions already back on course.
Schools such as Nyagachi, Mongolis, Mogondo, and Egesieri are among those revived.
Infrastructure development is also gaining pace, with road construction projects entering a new phase after contractors moved on site following a fresh tendering process.
Completion is expected by January next year.
Among flagship initiatives likely to headline the President’s visit is the commissioning of the Lake Basin water project, valued at KSh 87 million and designed to address chronic water shortages by drawing from Tente Dam.
An additional KSh 300 million is earmarked to expand connectivity across Nyamira.
Ruto is also expected to lay the foundation stone for a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) campus costing KSh 220 million and launch the expansion of Nyamira Comprehensive School, including new classrooms and sports facilities.
In housing, a KSh 1.9 billion affordable housing project is planned for Sironga, while electricity connectivity is being expanded in areas such as Nyakunguru, Girigiri, Nyachururu, and Nyagachi, supported by an additional KSh 150 million allocation and World Bank funding.
Market upgrades in Miruka, Nyamaiya, and Nyamira towns are also in the pipeline, with Miruka Market prioritized.
Meanwhile, construction of a KSh 3 billion university in Nyamira is underway.
The President’s itinerary further includes the launch of 30 kilometers of urban roads under the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.
However, the visit carries political undertones. Mogaka criticized former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, accusing him of underdelivering during his time in government.
“We are in a competitive political environment. Leadership must be judged by development outcomes,” he said.
The tour is expected to bolster government support in the Gusii region, with development taking center stage in the political narrative.