The Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika, has praised President William Ruto for initiating development projects in Makueni County and the Ukambani Region at large.

Mbaika particularly singled out the completion of the Kyambeke-Kiko road that was tarmacked at a cost of Sh 1.5 billion and was commissioned officially on Saturday by the President during his first day development tour of Ukambani Region.

Further, the PS also thanked the president for launching the tarmacking of the Kyambeke-Kyuasini-Ukia road where the government will spend Sh 1.4 billion; as a result, it will benefit farmers in the area to transport their farm produce to markets, hence earning more money.

“You have favoured us so much. Now this road from Kyambeke-Ukia will benefit the farmers who are growing cassava here. They have been selling their farm produce locally and cheaply,” stated Mbaika while addressing wananchi during the launch and commissioning of the projects at Kyambeke in Kaiti Constituency by the President on Saturday.

“Now they will use the road to transport their cassava to Nunguni, Machakos and Wote towns and get more profits. Now our economy has changed for good,” she posited.

Also, 6,800 title deeds were issued to the residents of Ilima Ward with a view to secure land ownership, besides resolving land disputes and empowering families, and a pledge of Sh 30 million from the government to construct classrooms at Kilungu Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).

In this regard, Mbaika defended President Ruto’s government development record and appealed to the residents of Makueni to vote for the President in 2027 so that the region can continue to get more programmes aimed transforming their lives.

Consequently, she also urged the residents to give her a chance to lead them as Member of Parliament (MP) in an effort to transform their lives.

The PS blamed the Kaiti Constituency MP Joshua Kimilu for having little development record to show despite having served for two terms saying the area lagged behind because of tribal and divisive politics that has hindered development.

“Though I was not elected as MP for the constituency in 2022, I have been able to lobby for more projects which include those in water, education, health and roads. I ask for your support in 2027 elections,” she noted.

During the president’s tour, he also commissioned the 37 kilometres Tawa-Nguloni-Itangini road stretch in Mbooni that the government spent Sh 2.4 billion to tarmac.

The government will invest Sh16 billion this financial year to build seven new roads – 180km long stretches across Makueni County to open up the region for new development and enhanced livelihoods, improve connectivity and unlock the county’s economic potential.

Currently, the government has initiated the affordable housing project, markets and construction of hostels across the major towns in the 10 sub-counties in the county.

The President is set to visit the Kibwezi East Constituency on Monday, October 26, 2026 in his third day tour of the development of the Ukambani Region. He is expected to launch more projects in education and roads and also commission Mtito Andei Level 4 Hospital funded by Kenya Railways.

By Patrick Nyakundi