RUTO ELEVATES MERU TOWN

President William Ruto announced that Meru town would be elevated to city status, while Ksh.7 billion would be invested in the rehabilitation of the Nithi Bridge, which has been identified as a safety hazard for decades.

Speaking to the people on Sunday at St. Mary's AIPCA Church, Kathelwa, in Meru County, President Ruto said that the government would secure the safety of the bridge, noting that it had been a "death trap" for the locals for nearly two decades.

"We want to realign the Nithi Bridge so that it no longer becomes a trap where citizens are losing their lives and suffering many accidents," he said.
The President also announced that Ksh.2 billion is allocated for road construction and rehabilitation in Meru.
He clarified that road projects had been put on hold due to the economic slowdown and inflationary pressures experienced in 2022, but assured residents that money for road development was now secured for the next two years.

"Now we have a funded road map for the next two years. This will make our roads safe," he added.

Ruto said that Meru city, which would be the sixth city in the country, means that the county must meet significant infrastructure targets, including new roads, markets, and state lodge.
The government, together with the World Bank, has set aside Ksh.5 billion to finance a 10-kilometre road and bypass to facilitate the transition, he continued.

A further Ksh.800 million is also set aside for the development of 17 new modern markets to spur local trade and economic development. The President stated the government intends to finish building a state lodge in Meru by December, as part of city status preparations.
Meanwhile, Ruto indicated that 2,000 units of affordable housing have been developed in the county with plans to construct 8,000 more awaiting land acquisition.

"We need land for constructing more housing units. Ksh.33 billion was set aside for housing in Meru; Ksh.21 billion has been utilized and Ksh.12 billion is remaining," he stated.

The President also earmarked education and electrification as some of the pillars of the country's development agenda.
He noted the state has employed 100,000 teachers and built 23,000 schools so that all children receive access to learning.

"Empowerment through education. No child will be deprived of school in Kenya," he affirmed, adding that tuition fees at universities and technical colleges have been reduced by 14–15 percent, with the poor paying Ksh.10,000 a term.

Ruto also pledged a Ksh.2 billion for rural electrification for 26,000 homes in Meru County.