Deputy President Kithure Kindiki/ FILE

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has challenged the opposition to develop policies and proposals for improving Kenyans’ lives instead of competing to invent nicknames and insults for him and President William Ruto.

Kindiki said the opposition had failed to present a meaningful agenda for the country, arguing that its leaders were spending too much time attacking the President and his deputy rather than addressing issues affecting citizens.

“You see an adult speaking as if they have achieved something great by calling the President and the Deputy President names. When you are an adult, you talk about serious matters that improve the lives of the people. You talk about building markets, roads and electricity,” Kindiki said.

He spoke on Wednesday in Juja Constituency, Kiambu county, where he inspected development projects and launched the construction of Kimbo-Matangini Road.

Kindiki said the opposition’s criticism would not distract the government from implementing its development agenda, including completing infrastructure projects across the country.

“Even if you call the President names, how does that help the people? Is he still not the President? Even if they call me names, I keep moving forward. I work hard. I am very busy. I have no time to listen to petty people who have nothing to offer the people but insults,” he said.

During the visit, the Deputy President directed the contractor undertaking the Kimbo-Matangini Road project to begin work immediately.

Other roads under construction in Juja include Ndarugu-Nyacaba-Kimuchu and Juja-Juja Farm-Kwa Murage-Munyu-Komo roads.

Kindiki said he was working to ensure that government development commitments were delivered on schedule, adding that his role included addressing challenges that could delay projects.

“I am working hard. I will not let you down. I will support the President in advancing Kenya’s development agenda. I will ensure that development work continues at the required speed. My job as Deputy President is to deal with emerging challenges and clear hurdles so the work is accelerated,” he said.

He said the government was working with leaders in Kiambu to expand infrastructure and improve services, citing the county’s population and economic importance.

“Kiambu is a critical county with a big population and a strong economy. Therefore, we must build enough roads to serve the people and support economic growth. Working together with other leaders, we will ensure that development in Kiambu and Juja is sped up,” Kindiki said.

The government has prioritised 1,656 kilometres of roads for tarmacking in Kiambu County at a stated cost of Sh152 billion.

The county has also been allocated Sh53 billion for 29 modern markets, with two additional markets in the pipeline, bringing the planned total to 31.