Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has taken issue with President William Ruto’s frequent regional development tours, arguing that they are an unnecessary drain on public resources.

Speaking on a local media station on Monday, March 31, 2025, Maanzo stated that the funds used for the president’s travel across the country could be better spent on essential development projects, such as constructing roads that would benefit farmers and local businesses directly.

“Here we are very wasteful when the president moves around, totally unnecessarily in the country. All that money you are going to use to visit that region is enough to do all the roads,” Maanzo stated.  

The senator pointed out that key agricultural areas, including parts of Eastern, Central, and Northern Kenya, lack proper road networks, making it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets and processing plants.

He cited Makueni County, where mango farmers struggle with poor roads, and Central Kenya, where dairy farmers face challenges delivering milk due to inadequate infrastructure.  

“In some parts of Eastern Kenya or even Central Kenya or even Northern Kenya, the farmers need roads… There are no roads in such places. And there are no feeder roads to that establishment,” he added.  

Maanzo insisted that the issue needs urgent attention, suggesting that the funds used for presidential visits should instead be allocated to building much-needed road networks across the country.  

“The money used just to transport the government unnecessarily is enough to do all of these roads,” he asserted.

“I think this matter needs to be looked into in totality,” he added.

Ruto’s upcoming Mt Kenya tour

Maanzo’s remarks come as President Ruto prepares for a five-day tour of the Mt Kenya region, set to begin tomorrow, April 1, 2025.

According to the official itinerary, Ruto will visit eight counties over five days, launching various development projects funded by international partners, including the AFD, EU, and EIB.

His tour will kick off in Laikipia and Nyeri counties on April 1, 2025, moving to Meru and Kirinyaga on April 2, 2025.

On April 3, 2025, he will visit Nyandarua and Murang’a, followed by Tharaka Nithi and Embu counties on April 4, 2025.

The final day, April 5, 2025, will see him return to Nyeri and Kiambu.

Preparations for the tour

Ahead of the tour, government officials have been dispatched to prepare the ground amid speculation of political tensions following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Billboards welcoming Ruto have been erected in major towns across Mt. Kenya, including Kiambu, Nyeri, and Kirinyaga, as well as along Thika Road and in Embu.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has also spent time touring various areas in the region to lay the groundwork for Ruto’s visit.