President William Ruto on Sunday, April 13, 2025, toured his North Rift backyard, where he was at pains to defend his administration against accusations of not delivering its manifesto to Kenyans.

There have also been murmurs in the North Rift that despite Ruto launching multi-million shillings’ development projects in other parts of the country, there was nothing to write home about in his home turf.

The president said his administration has done a lot for Kenyans in its almost three years in office, citing the subsidised fertiliser programme, which he said has given a boost to food production. Speaking when he attended an interdenominational church service at AIC Kapng’etik in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Ruto reiterated his government’s commitment to support farmers in enhancing food security.

“We are committed to ensuring food productivity and enhancing earnings for our farmers,” he said.

According to Ruto, all Kenya Kwanza development agenda items are on course, noting that Sh60 billion has been paid to contractors. In Elgeyo Marakwet, he said, more than 10,000 households have been connected to the national grid, adding that an ICT hub has been set up in each ward, creating employment to thousands of youth.

Ruto also said 76,000 teachers have been employed and 17,000 classrooms set up by his administration. He said another 1,600 laboratories were being set up in the country.

“We are investing in education because it is the only resource which will sharpen our human capital. That’s the reason we are deploying resources to ensure that our children can be the best they can be.”the Head of State said, adding that those saying that the government is not working will be shamed.

“I’m not a mad man, I know what I’m saying,” he added.

Insecurity issues

President Ruto was accompanied by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich and area senator William Kisang.

Others included MPs Gideon Kimaiyo (Keiyo South), Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North), Maryanne Kitany (Aldai) and Joseph Wainaina (nominated). Ruto pledged that a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) branch will be established in Keiyo South.

He defended reforms in the health sector, arguing that the Social Health Authority (SHA) has ensured all Kenyans have access to affordable healthcare.

“We are committed to delivering universal, affordable health to all Kenyans. Let’s be part of the solution but not compound problems,” he said.

The president said the government will empower and equip KMTC institutions countrywide in a bid to assist the government in the delivery of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC). President Ruto dismissed critics of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and called on Kenyans to register for the programme to benefit from affordable healthcare.

Governor Rotich called on the government to address rampant insecurity in Elgeyo Marakwet, which is derailing development. According to Rotich, many schools remain closed in the region, and he decried that armed bandits have now resorted to attacking schoolchildren.

“Many of our people have been rendered paupers after livestock, which is their major source of livelihood, were wiped out by armed bandits. This should be checked,” said Rotich. CS Murkomen lauded residents in the vast Kerio Valley region for maintaining peace.

He pledged that the government would address conflicts resulting from boundary disputes in the area. President Ruto thanked peace committees, religious leaders, political leaders and elders for their efforts to preach peace in the region.

“Peace is the greatest ingredient for any meaningful development to be achieved in any part of the country. We have seen the hand of God in delivering our mandate to the people of Kenya,” said Ruto, while promising that his administration will open up the vast Kerio Valley for development in terms of infrastructure for them to enjoy the full dividends of peace.

The Head of State assured parents and teachers that 26 schools that had been vandalised by armed bandits have already been rebuilt with the help of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).