Ichung’wah Defends Ruto, Champions Education and Infrastructure During Nandi Tour
Politics Updated: 10 May 2026 01:05 EAT
Kikuyu MP launches School bus among other educational and development projects in Mosop, Nandi County
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah intensified support for President William Ruto during a major event in Mosop, Nandi County, where he defended the Kenya Kwanza administration’s economic agenda, education reforms and infrastructure projects while also calling on leaders to stop undermining the government.
Ichung’wah spoke during a Thanksgiving Mass and the handing over of a new school bus at St. John Paul II Chepterwai Girls in Chepterwai, an event attended by political leaders, clergy, students, parents and residents from across the region.
The event brought together a cross-section of leaders including Aaron Cheruiyot, Japheth Nyakundi, Farouk T Kibet, Mwengi Mutuse, John Bwire, Innocent Mugabe, David Ndakwa, Julius Melly, Emmanuel Wangwe, Maryanne Kaitany, Bernard Kitur, Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge and Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula among others.
The new school bus was presented as part of efforts to improve mobility for learners and strengthen access to academic, mentorship and co-curricular opportunities for students in the institution.
Leaders at the event noted that reliable school transport would help students participate fully in educational programmes beyond the classroom while also improving the school’s connection with the wider community.
Ichung’wah began his speech by describing Nandi County as part of his ancestral home, drawing applause from residents as he highlighted the importance of national unity beyond ethnic identity.
“Kaptoroi, hamjambo! Nimesikia mama wetu wa kaunti, Cynthia, akiniambia karibu tena nyumbani. Nataka nidhibitishe kweli mimi nikiwa Nandi, niko nyumbani,” he said.
The Kikuyu MP explained that both his parents were born in Nandi before he was born in Kikuyu, saying the connection made him feel equally at home in both regions.
“Huwa nasema sababu mama yangu alizaliwa ng’ambo ile hapo Kipchachamp. Ndiyo, mama yangu mzazi alizaliwa huko, baba yangu amezaliwa huko Kipkelion, na mimi nikazaliwa Kikuyuni. Sasa mimi ni Mkenya halisi. Nikiwa Kikuyu niko nyumbani, nikiwa Nandi niko nyumbani kabisa,” he added.
Ichung’wah also recalled an earlier visit to the area in June 2024 alongside Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and other leaders when they promised to support completion of school infrastructure projects.
According to the Majority Leader, the government had now fulfilled part of that commitment through continued support for the institution and the donation of the new bus.
“Nashukuru kurudi tena hapa Kaptoroi sababu mwezi wa sita 2024, tulikuwa hapa hapa kwa hii uwanja tukiwa na viongozi wengine, akiwemo Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, na tukawaahidi pamoja na Sir Faruk. Tukirudi Nairobi, tutaongea na Rais tufanye juhudi ili tuweze kukamilisha ujenzi wa shule ambao ulikuwa unaendelea,” he stated.
The MP thanked local leaders and education stakeholders for sustaining the institution’s development projects and ensuring students benefited from improved learning facilities.
“Nataka nishukuru Faruk Kibet kwa kushikilia hii shule vile umeweza. Tukawaahidi pia tukirudi siku nyingine, tutarudi na school bus ya watoto wetu wa hapa Kaptoroi,” he said.
Ichung’wah used the platform to encourage students to focus on academics, saying education remained the strongest pathway to personal success and national transformation.
“Niseme pongezi sana kwa hawa watoto, hasa wale walifanya mtihani mwaka uliopita kwa matokeo mazuri. Kwa wale mko kidato cha nne mwaka huu, mmeonyeshwa mwenendo na nyayo ambazo mtafuata. Bidii kwa masomo yenu sababu elimu ndiyo msingi wa maisha yenu,” he said.
He further noted that the school bus would support students during educational tours and mentorship programmes that expose them to broader opportunities.
“Mkifaulu kwa elimu yenu, hata maishani mtakuja kufaulu. Hivyo basi, ni kuwatia moyo na zawadi kama hii ya basi ni ya kuwasaidia kwa masomo yenu wakati mnaenda academic trips,” he added.
Ichung’wah also praised Kenya Pipeline Company for supporting development and educational initiatives through corporate partnerships and investments.
“Pongezi sana na pia nipongeze kampuni yetu ya Kenya Pipeline ikiongozwa na Director Joy Manico. Amekuja kutukabidhi hili basi. Kenya Pipeline imetusaidia sana pia kwa kukuza uchumi wa nchi yetu,” he stated.
The Majority Leader defended the government’s economic model, saying strategic reforms and partnerships had enabled more Kenyans to participate in ownership of state-linked enterprises.
“Hii kampuni ambayo ilikuwa ni ya serikali, sasa tumeweka IPO ikawa kampuni ya kibinafsi. Hata kama serikali bado iko na shares, pia Wakenya wa kawaida na investors wengine wamenunua hisa,” he said.
On education reforms, Ichung’wah said the Kenya Kwanza administration had prioritised teacher recruitment and stabilisation of struggling universities across the country.
“Elimu haikuwa nayo, ndiyo ilikuwa elimu yetu inadidimia inakufa. Kufikia sasa, tumeajiri walimu 56,116. Tulitimiza ile ahadi yetu ya kuajiri walimu katika Republic of Kenya to guarantee our children that they will go to school and they will have teachers to take them through their education,” he stated.
He further argued that public universities such as Moi University, Kenyatta University and Egerton University were recovering from financial difficulties experienced before the current administration took office.
“University zetu tumetajiwa hii ya hapa Eldoret yetu, Moy University. Kenyatta University na Egerton University zote zilikuwa on their deathbed. Today, they are all rising and taking admissions of our children,” he said.
The Majority Leader also defended the new higher education funding system, saying students joining universities this year were guaranteed government support through scholarships and loans.
“Mwaka huu, wale walimaliza last year wako na guaranteed funding system for higher education. Kila mtoto ambaye anaingia university is guaranteed of a government scholarship based on needs and higher education loans,” he added.
On the economy, Ichung’wah maintained that President Ruto inherited serious debt challenges but had managed to stabilise the country and continue servicing public debt obligations.
“Rais William Ruto alishika serikali ambayo aliachiwa matatizo mengi. Nchi yetu ilikuwa baadhi ya nchi sita za Afrika ambazo ziliambiwa zitashindwa kulipa madeni yake ya public debt. Kenya pekee yake kati ya hizo nchi sita ndio haikushindwa kulipa madeni na tunaendelea kuyalipa,” he said.
In remarks interpreted as criticism of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other critics of the administration, Ichung’wah urged former leaders to stop attacking those currently in power.
“Wale ambao walituweka huo mzigo, ningewauliza wakue waungwana. Wacheni hasira, wacheni chuki. Kama unataka kufaulu kama kiongozi, support wale ambao wamechukua uongozi baada yako,” he declared.
He also defended the government’s infrastructure financing model, saying Kenya Kwanza had adopted alternative mechanisms to fund mega road projects without pushing the country into unsustainable debt.
“Rais William Ruto kufuatia vile tuliweka kwa manifesto, we said we will find alternative mechanisms for financing our huge infrastructural projects. That is why today, Rironi-Summit Road is being done and financed through those alternative financing mechanisms that will not sink our country into more debt,” he said.
Ichung’wah concluded by urging young people to take advantage of opportunities emerging through the Affordable Housing programme and Universal Health Coverage agenda, saying the initiatives were creating jobs and expanding access to healthcare across the country.
“Vijana wetu wafuate mipangilio kama ile mnaona ya Affordable Housing ambayo inaendelea kona zote za Kenya. Hiyo ni nafasi za ajira kwa cement factories na steel factories. Tunataka kuhakikisha Universal Health Coverage imefikia watu milioni 30,” he stated.
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FELIX MAKONA
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