President Ruto Calls for Unity and Development as He Tours Kilifi County
Politics Updated: 23 May 2026 23:59 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto engages with the traders at the Diani Modern market in Kilifi County during his coastal development tour
President William Ruto has reaffirmed his commitment to accelerating development in Kilifi County, saying his administration will ensure the region is no longer left behind in national progress and development planning.
Speaking during a public address in Kilifi, the President emphasized that his government is focused on delivering tangible projects and fulfilling campaign promises aimed at transforming livelihoods.
He noted that he had spent time in the county engaging with residents and overseeing development initiatives, insisting that leadership must be present and responsive to wananchi’s needs.
“Ati mambo sikizeni bwana, mimi leo nimefika hii Kilifi na nimefika Kilifi kwa shughuli ya mambo ya maendeleo ya Kilifi Kaunti. Mimi nimekuwa hapa tangu jana, mimi nitakuwa hapa Kilifi kesho, mimi nitakuwa hapa Kilifi tena mpaka Kilifi ibadilike. Kilifi hoyee! Basi Kilifi hoyee!”
The President stressed that his administration’s development agenda is anchored on fulfilling promises made to citizens, noting that public resources are being directed to historically marginalized regions.
“Mimi nimefika hapa leo ndugu zangu kwa sababu Waswahili wanasema ahadi ni nini? Na dawa ya deni ni nini? Si ni kulipa. Mimi niliwaeleza watu wa Kilifi ya kwamba wakati tutaunda serikali, mambo ya Kilifi haitabaki nyuma tena.”
He further explained that development planning has deliberately included Kilifi at the center of national infrastructure expansion, particularly in road construction and connectivity.
“Niliwaeleza ya kwamba wakati tutakuwa tunapanga maendeleo ya taifa letu la Kenya, mambo ya maendeleo ya Kilifi inakuwa katikati ya hayo mambo ya maendeleo. Ndio mimi leo nimefika hapa kutimiza ahadi.”
On infrastructure, Ruto highlighted ongoing road projects, including the Tezo–Kakanjuni–Jaribuni–Ganze road, which he said will significantly improve transport and economic activity in the region.
“Hii barabara yenu ya kutoka hapa Tezo kwenda Kakanjuni itaenda mpaka Titoni. Hii barabara tunawajengea, tunawawekea lami bwana… Tumetoa pesa ya serikali shilingi bilioni mbili kutengeneza hii barabara.”
He also announced broader road investments across Kilifi County, saying the government had allocated substantial funds to open up the coastal region for development.
“Nimeweka pesa nyingine kuunganisha Bamba kuleta Ganze mpaka ifike hapa Kilifi… Nimeweka pesa hapa karibu bilioni saba ya kujenga barabara za watu wa Kilifi.”
Ruto said the government is committed to ending historical marginalization through inclusive development policies that prioritize equity and national unity.
“Nimesema hii Kilifi iliwachwa nyuma siku nyingi na ndio tukakubaliana tutaondoa siasa ya ubaguzi, tutaondoa siasa ya chuki na ukabila; tutaunganisha Kenya iwe moja.”
He linked development with political unity, calling for cooperation among leaders across political divides to ensure national cohesion.
“Nimeweka serikali ya Broad-based ya kuleta wanachama wa UDA na wanachama wa ODM wakae pamoja kwa serikali moja ndio tuondoe ukabila, na tuondoe chuki, na tuondoe ubaguzi Kenya iwe moja.”
The President also addressed electricity access challenges in Kilifi, saying his government is implementing major power expansion projects to reach underserved households.
“Jana nilianzisha stima, leo nimepanga stima… Kilifi hii bado wako kwa giza… tumeweka bilioni 12 ya mambo ya stima Kilifi County.”
He detailed specific energy investments, including transmission lines and household connections aimed at improving access to electricity across the county.
“Tuweke bilioni tano na nusu tutoe transmission line kutoka Malindi kwenda mpaka Kilifi… tuweke stima ya kutosha hii Kilifi Kaunti.”
On land issues, Ruto acknowledged long-standing grievances in the Coast region and pledged reforms to address absentee landlords and insecure tenure.
“Changamoto kubwa ya watu wa Pwani… ni mambo ya kuta na absentee landlords… nitawapa ardhi yenu… nitawalipa pesa zao, nitachukua ardhi zao niwapatie ninyi.”
He said the government is working on issuing title deeds to residents, promising that the process will transform many squatters into legal landowners.
“Nitawarudishia… muweze kutoka maskwota muwe wananchi wa taifa letu la Kenya. Kilifi hoyee hoyee!”
On education, the President highlighted increased funding, teacher recruitment, and a push to ensure universal access to schooling for children in Kilifi County.
“Nimeajiri walimu 1,100. Nimeongeza bajeti ya elimu kwa bilioni 200… sitaki mtoto hata mmoja abaki nyumbani hapa Kilifi County.”
He also emphasized reforms in the health sector through the Social Health Authority (SHA), urging residents to register for universal health coverage.
“Kila mwananchi ajisajili ndani ya SHA… enda hospitali utibiwe upatiwe dawa na uende nyumbani bila ya kuulizwa pesa yoyote.”
Ruto further outlined investments in affordable housing, markets, and student hostels, saying these projects are aimed at improving dignity and economic opportunity.
“Tumeweka pesa bilioni 25 ya Affordable Housing… Masoko 10 tunajenga… hostels ya vijana wetu… tunawajengea hostels kwa sababu tumesema masomo yafanyike mahali kuna heshima.”
He concluded by calling for unity among leaders and citizens, urging residents to reject divisive politics and embrace cooperation for development.
“Mnasema tuungane ama tutengane? Tuungane… umoja ni nguvu… kujenga kutengana ni nini? Si ni udhaifu?”
The President ended his address by reaffirming his working relationship with leaders from across the Coast region, insisting that collaboration is key to national transformation.
“Tuko na Hassan Joho, tuko na Salim Mvurya… tuko na viongozi wote. Tumesema tuungane kwa sababu umoja ni nguvu.”
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FELIX MAKONA
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