Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma has said President William Ruto deserves to have major public projects named after him because of the development projects his administration is implementing in Meru and across Kenya.

Speaking during the 60th anniversary celebrations of Burieruri High School in Meru County on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Mutuma praised Ruto’s government for upgrading health facilities and building modern markets in the county.

The governor said no previous president had delivered similar projects in the region.

“Ni jambo ambalo hakuna rais mwingine amewahi fanya, na ndiyo maana tunakupenda,” Mutuma said during the event attended by President Ruto.

He told the president that residents support him because they can see development projects on the ground.

Mutuma singled out the ongoing expansion of Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, saying the facility had remained overstretched for decades despite serving patients from several counties.

“Hospitali ya Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital haijazaliwa wakati umekuwa rais. Ile hospitali karibu igonge miaka mia ikiwa pale, ikiwa na vitanda 325,” he said.

According to the governor, the Level Five hospital has for years handled referrals from Ukambani, Isiolo, Laikipia, Garissa, and the North Eastern region while operating with only 325 beds.

He said many patients were forced to sleep on the floor or share beds because of congestion.

Mutuma credited President Ruto’s administration with supplying medical equipment and supporting plans to upgrade the facility to a Level Six hospital.

“Your Excellency, kupitia Ministry, tunajenga block ambayo itaongeza bed capacity hadi 1,200,” he said.

The governor added that the expansion would help the hospital reach the standards of Kenyatta National Hospital and improve specialised treatment in the region.

Mutuma praises Ruto’s projects

Mutuma then suggested that the president’s name should appear on institutions and infrastructure projects because of the scale of development taking place under his administration.

“Hospitali yako, ambayo ni vile ukubali institutions ziitwe majina yako, tungekuwa tumeita institution nyingi Kenya. Majina inaitwa Arap Ruto Hospital, Arap Ruto Secondary School, Arap Ruto Road, Arap Ruto kila kitu,” he said.

He argued that many projects linked to the national government had transformed the lives of ordinary wananchi.

The governor also highlighted the construction of modern markets in Meru County. He said the national government is funding 17 modern markets aimed at improving working conditions for small traders, especially women.

Mutuma pointed to the ongoing construction of Gakoromone Market, which he described as the biggest modern market in Kenya.

“Gakoromone Market, the biggest market in this country, Your Excellency,” he said.

He stated that the project has received Ksh1.2 billion from the national government and that contractors are already on site.

The governor said the new market would move traders from dusty and congested spaces into cleaner and organised facilities.

Mutuma also criticised leaders opposing the government, saying residents should judge leaders based on development records instead of political rhetoric.

“Hakuna kitu mtu atakuja kutuambia eti tuondoke kwa serikali ambayo inafanya kazi,” he said.