President William Ruto spent his second day in Ukambani on Thursday, rolling out a series of development projects and political messages aimed at winning over a region long loyal to his rival, Kalonzo Musyoka. The visit — part of a three-day tour — mixed the promise of new roads and airstrips with the unmistakable undertones of early campaign politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
In Kitui County, Ruto launched the Kamuw’ongo–Kandwia road in Mwingi North, inspected the Kwasiku–Migwani–Mbondoni road in Mwingi West, and unveiled the Ikutha–Mutha road in Kitui South — projects he said would “connect farmers to markets and bring prosperity to forgotten corners of the country.” Later in the day, he commissioned the refurbished Ithookwe Stadium and relaunched the Kitui Airstrip, telling residents that “this region must be part of progress.”
The president’s convoy moved through towns lined with supporters waving flags and chanting his name, as local leaders — some who have recently defected from Kalonzo’s Wiper Party — stood beside him. “No part of Kenya will be left behind,” Ruto said, repeating a phrase that has become central to his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
But behind the fanfare was a clear political motive. Ruto’s charm offensive in Ukambani — a region that overwhelmingly voted for the opposition in 2022 — is widely seen as an attempt to chip away at Kalonzo’s grip before the next polls. His message was as blunt as it was symbolic: “Kwa vyovyote, mbele na nyuma, kulia na kushoto, juu na chini — hii Ukambani haiwezi kukaa upinzani tena,” he declared in Kibwezi on Wednesday, insisting that the region should align with the government to benefit from development.
