President Ruto Defends Development Agenda During PS Fikirini Thanksgiving In Kilifi
Politics Updated: 24 May 2026 22:38 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto speaking during the Thanksgiving Service for PS Fikirini in Ganze, Kilifi County
President William Samoei Ruto on Sunday attended a thanksgiving ceremony in honour of Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Jacobs Fikirini at Mnagoni in Ganze Constituency, Kilifi County, where he delivered a lengthy address focusing on development, youth leadership, national unity and the Coast region’s long-standing challenges.
The President began his speech by greeting religious leaders, local residents and political leaders who had gathered for the event, describing the thanksgiving ceremony as an important moment to thank God for the rise of a young leader from the Coast region.
“Mimi nachukua nafasi hii kumshukuru Mungu kwa kutupatia nafasi hii ya kipekee tufike hapa Mnagoni kwa sherehe hii ya kumshukuru Mungu kwa sababu ya huyu kijana, Principal Secretary wangu, Fikirini Kato Kahindi Jacobs. Naungana na wote ambao tumefika hapa kumshukuru Mungu kwa maisha ya huyu kijana na kwa nafasi aliyopata kuwa mtumishi katika taifa letu la Kenya,” Ruto said.
The Head of State revealed that he personally changed his programme to attend the thanksgiving event after receiving a message from Fikirini requesting time for prayers and thanksgiving with residents of Ganze.
“Nimefurahi sana wakati nilipanga safari ya kuja hapo Pwani. Tuesday wiki hii nikiwa safarini nje ya nchi, nikapata WhatsApp message kutoka kwa huyu kijana. Akaniambia, ‘Mheshimiwa Rais, nilikuwa nimeomba masaa mawili pekee yake Ijumaa pale tutoe shukrani.’ Nikamwambia, ‘Asiwe na wasiwasi, nitasitisha mpango wangu wa Jumapili ndio nikuje hapa niungane na watu wa hapa,’” the President stated.
Ruto praised Fikirini Jacobs as one of the youngest Principal Secretaries in government, saying his appointment symbolised the administration’s commitment to empowering young people in leadership and governance.
“Sio kawaida mtu kutoka mahali kama hapa Bamba apate nafasi kwa ujana na umri wa huyu kijana kuwa Principal Secretary. Kazi ya Principal Secretary inapangiwa baada ya miaka ishirini mtu kuwa mfanyikazi wa serikali wa kawaida. So, it is not always, and therefore we have every reason to thank God for the opportunity this young man has to serve this nation,” he added.
The President further commended the family and residents of Bamba for raising a disciplined and hardworking leader, saying Fikirini had earned respect within government through honesty and dedication.
“Na nataka niwaambie wananchi wa hapa, nikianza na mama yake mzazi, Mary, kuwaambia huyu kijana Fikirini Jacobs mmemlea vizuri. Amefanya kazi na mimi kwa karibu; naweza kutoa ushuhuda mbele yenu kwamba ni mtu mwadilifu, ni mtu wa bidii, ni mtu mwaminifu, na ni mtu wa kujituma,” he said.
Ruto disclosed that Fikirini had travelled widely with him across the country while implementing youth empowerment programmes under the State Department for Youth Affairs.
“Katika kazi ya vijana, nimetembea na huyu Fikirini Jacobs kila sehemu ya Kenya kwa sababu ya kazi ya vijana. Mpango wetu wa Nyota, ambao unafikia vijana Kenya, huyu kijana Jacobs na mwenzake Susan wamefanya kazi ya muhimu sana kupata anga ya vile vijana watajumuishwa katika miradi mbalimbali,” the President noted.
The Head of State also used the occasion to acknowledge ODM leader Raila Odinga, saying both he and Fikirini had benefited politically from Raila’s mentorship during their time in ODM.
“And proudly, William Ruto and Fikirini Jacobs share the fact of being students of the school of Raila Odinga. Mheshimiwa Raila Odinga aliniambia, ‘Niko na kijana, na ni kijana shupavu wa bidii.’ Mimi nikamwambia, ‘Wacha tumpatie nafasi tumjaribu.’ Today I want to say we made the right decision,” Ruto stated.
He pledged to personally mentor Fikirini and other young leaders in government to prepare them for future national leadership responsibilities.
“Na mimi nataka niwahakikishie mzazi wake na watu wa hapa Bamba, huyu kijana nitamshika mkono, nitamfundisha uongozi. Mimi niko na shule yangu pia ya kufundisha vijana. But I am happy to mentor young people to be better than myself because that is how we get better leadership for our nation,” he added.
Ruto said Kenya required leaders who focus on solutions rather than tribal divisions and political hostility, insisting that his administration had transformed the country’s political culture.
“Kwanza mimi nataka niwaeleze ya kwamba niliamua ya kwamba tutabadilisha siasa ya Kenya. Pale nyuma siasa ilikuwa inaendeshwa kwa mihemko ya mambo ya ukabila. Lakini siasa imebadilika. Viongozi wa sasa sio wa kutueleza matatizo ya wananchi—kila mtu anajua. Viongozi wa sasa ni wale wako na uwezo wa kuweza kufikiria suluhisho ya matatizo tuliyo nayo,” he said.
The President defended his administration’s development promises, saying many Kenyans initially dismissed his pledges on housing, agriculture and education reforms as impossible campaign rhetoric.
“Hata askofu mmoja rafiki yangu akaniambia, ‘Bwana, haya mambo umesema tunajua hayawezekani.’ Mimi nikamwambia, ‘Hapana, wakati nilisema tutakuwa na Housing, I meant it. Wakati nilisema tutarekebisha kilimo, I meant it. Wakati nilisema tutarekebisha elimu, I meant it,’” Ruto recalled.
On infrastructure, the President highlighted several ongoing road projects in Kilifi County and across the Coast region aimed at improving transport and economic connectivity.
“Ndio leo nikisimama hapa Bamba, nyinyi mnajua tulikuwa na matatizo ya mabarabara yetu mpaka hata kukatungwa wimbo: ‘Barabara ya Bamba ni ya machero.’ Lakini sasa barabara hiyo itatoka Bamba ipite Ganze iende mpaka Kilifi karibu kilomita 50, na barabara hiyo inaendelea kujengwa,” he announced.
He further directed Roads Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua to ensure that all contracted road projects in Ganze and neighbouring areas are completed without delays.
“So mimi nataka PS wangu Bwana Mbugua yuko hapa. Haya mambo nimesema Bwana PS wa barabara, hiyo barabara ya kutoka Kakanjuni kwenda Matano Mane kwenda Baolala umeweka kandarasi nataka uikamilishe,” the President directed.
Ruto also acknowledged that Kilifi had lagged behind in electricity connectivity for many years but assured residents that the government had increased investment in rural electrification projects.
“Ni kweli watu wengi wamengojea stima miaka mingi na hii sehemu kidogo ilibaki nyuma kwa mambo ya usambazaji wa stima. Na nimemueleza huyu Mheshimiwa Opiyo Wandayi kwamba tufanye kitu inaitwa affirmative action,” he said.
The President announced that the government had allocated Sh2 billion for electricity expansion projects in Kilifi County and promised additional support for Mnagoni village.
“Hapa Kilifi tuko na bilioni mbili kwa huduma ya stima. Pia nimemwambia Waziri aongeze milioni 10 ya watu hapa Mnagoni ndio kila boma hapa kwenu kupatikane stima. Ni sawa, si sawa?” he posed to cheering residents.
Ruto further revealed that the government was constructing new transmission lines and substations to improve electricity supply across Kilifi and neighbouring counties.
“Tuko na transmission line ya kutoka Malindi kwenda Weru mpaka Kilifi. Tuko na transmission line ingine kutoka Rabai kuja Bomani mpaka Kilifi. Na kesho mimi naenda kuanzisha substation kubwa pale ambayo sasa itatusaidia kuleta stima hii Kilifi County,” he explained.
On affordable housing, the President said the government had invested billions of shillings in housing projects across Kilifi County as part of efforts to create employment opportunities for youth.
“Leo nikiwa Kilifi hapa, tuko na ujenzi wa manyumba ambao unaendelea na tumeweka pesa ya serikali shilingi bilioni 18 kwa ujenzi wa manyumba hapa Kilifi County,” Ruto announced.
He added that the government had also allocated billions towards construction of markets, hostels and education facilities in the county.
“Tumeweka zaidi ya bilioni 1.2 kujenga masoko 10 mpya hapa Kilifi County na hostels. Tutakuwa na hostels kule Gede, tutakuwa na hostels katika TVET zetu zote na katika KMTC yenu hapa Kilifi County,” he stated.
The President defended increased education spending by his administration, saying education remained the greatest equaliser in society.
“Mimi kwa miaka mitatu nimeongeza bajeti ya masomo kutoka bilioni 500 mpaka bilioni 700. Ndani ya miaka mitatu nimeajiri walimu zaidi ya 56,000 kuhakikisha ya kwamba kila mtoto wa Kenya anapata nafasi ya kusoma,” he said.
Ruto revealed that Kilifi County had received significantly more teachers under his administration compared to previous years.
“Kwa miaka mitano kutoka 2017 mpaka 2022, walimu walioajiriwa hapa Kilifi walikuwa 700, lakini kwa miaka nne kutoka 2022 mpaka sasa tumeajiri walimu 2,860,” he announced.
He urged parents, chiefs and village elders to ensure that all children remain in school, warning against keeping children at home during school sessions.
“Na ndio sababu hiyo nawasihi wazazi wetu, machief wetu, wazee wa mitaa, wahakikishe ya kwamba hakuna hata mtoto mmoja anabaki nyumbani wakati shule inaendelea. All our children must be in school,” Ruto emphasized.
On healthcare, the President urged residents to register under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), saying the programme would guarantee access to treatment regardless of one’s financial status.
“Tunataka uende hospitali utibiwe na uende nyumbani bila kuulizwa pesa yoyote. Mambo ya pesa ibaki serikali ya kaunti na serikali ya kitaifa kupitia bima ya SHIF—that is what we want,” he said.
The Head of State stated that the national government had been sending substantial monthly allocations to Kilifi County to support healthcare services and strengthen local hospitals.
“Pia nataka niseme hapa Kilifi, kila mwezi tunatuma pesa kutoka kwa serikali kuu. Tumetuma hapa Kilifi shilingi bilioni 1.4. Na sasa County Government iko na uwezo wa kupanua mahospitali yetu,” the President stated.
Ruto also defended his administration’s political approach, insisting that Kenyan politics should revolve around solutions and development rather than insults and ethnic mobilisation.
“So mimi nayasema haya mambo kwa kirefu kwa sababu siasa tumebadilisha. Siasa tena sio makelele. Siasa tena sio mambo ya kusema shida ni hii. Siasa ni kusema ni nini tutafanya kutatua haya matatizo,” he said.
The President warned politicians against promoting tribalism and hate speech, saying the country had moved beyond divisive politics.
“Wale watu wa kutuenezera mambo ya ukabila na chuki na mambo ya matusi sasa watakosa rada kwa sababu we have changed the politics of Kenya,” he declared.
Ruto further called for national unity, quoting Psalm 133 on the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence among Kenyans.
“Kila Mkenya ni sawa na mwenzake. We must be united. Ndio neno la Mungu likasema pale kwa Zaburi 133 kwamba ni vyema jinsi gani ndugu wakiishi kwa umoja. Pale penye umoja Mungu anaamrisha baraka,” he said.
The President also highlighted ongoing Blue Economy projects being implemented along the Coast region under Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho.
“Ndani ya miaka mitatu tumetumia pesa ya serikali shilingi bilioni 10 kwa mambo ya Blue Economy. Hapa tunajenga fish landing sites tano kwa jumla ya milioni 840,” Ruto announced.
He said the government had additionally invested in fish markets, fishing boats and fish hatcheries to improve food security and create employment opportunities for coastal communities.
“Hapa vile vile tununua boti 272 kusaidia wavuvi wetu waweze kuvua bahari ya mbali ndio tuwe na chakula na pia wafanye biashara,” he added.
Ruto also addressed the long-standing land crisis at the Coast, promising to resolve disputes involving absentee landlords and squatters within the next three months.
“I want to tell you ndani ya miaka mitatu tumetoa hati miliki za sehemu tofauti tofauti hapa Pwani. Sasa tutaweka kikomo kwa mambo ya absentee landlords; nimetoa pesa ya serikali tununue haya mashamba alafu tuwapatie wananchi hati miliki,” he announced.
The President promised that more than 200,000 title deeds would be issued to Coast residents currently living as squatters on disputed land.
“Nimesema hiyo kazi ifanyike ndani ya siku 90 mimi narudi hapa kupatiana title deed 200,000 kwa wananchi ambao sasa ni masquatter—that is how we are going to change this Coast Province,” he stated.
Ruto argued that land ownership certainty was essential for economic development and poverty reduction in the Coast region.
“Citizens must live with certainty; they must plan with certainty that they know this is theirs. If they continue to be squatters, they cannot invest and therefore it undermines the progress and wellbeing of the citizens of this Coast region,” he said.
The President praised Coast leaders, including Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Mining CS Hassan Joho and Sports CS Salim Mvurya, for working together to address the land question without political divisions.
“Hawa viongozi wenu hawakuwa na ubinafsi, hawakuwa na tofauti. Walisema tuache mambo yote kando, let us sort out this problem as one leadership of the Coast region,” he said.
As he concluded his address, Ruto urged Coast residents to support unity, development and peaceful coexistence, saying divisive politics would not help the country move forward.
“Matusi na fujo na mirengo na ukabila haiwezi kutusaidia. We need to walk this journey together,” the President told residents as the gathering erupted into applause.
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FELIX MAKONA
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