Ruto vows to transform Elburgon into a city in 2 years
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 27, 2025President William Ruto has assured residents of Elburgon that the town will be elevated to city status within the next two years, saying ongoing development projects across the country are part of his administration’s broader plan to modernise Kenya.
Speaking during the laying of the foundation stone for the Michinda Social Housing Programme, in Elburgon in Nakuru County, on Monday, October 27, 2025, Ruto dismissed leaders he described as engaging in empty talk and drama instead of focusing on development.
He said his government’s priority is to deliver projects that will improve lives, strengthen infrastructure, and expand economic opportunities for Kenyans.
“Kenya haiwezi kujengwa na midomo ama sarakasi. Kenya inajengwa na miradi na mipango ya maendeleo,” Ruto told the crowd. “Nani alikuwa anajua ghorofa kumi na nne itajengwa Elburgon? Nani alikuwa anajua inawezekana? Kwa hivyo kubadilisha Kenya inahitaji viongozi wenye wako na akili, wako na maono, wako na mpango.”
“Unajua hii Kenya imechelewa miaka mingi kwa sababu viongozi wengi ni watu tu wa bwerere. Kumangamanga tu kelele. Sarakasi, ooh sijui MUST GO! sijui KASONGO! nini. Ujinga mtupu. Nyinyi Mnanielewa? Sikuzeni my friends.”
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The president said his administration is focused on ensuring balanced development across all counties, adding that towns that were once considered rural centres are now transforming rapidly.
“Hii manyumba tunajenga hapa tunajenga Kenya mzima. Mmeona ile tunajenga nairobi. Kila city, mkienda Nakuru, mwende Eldoret. Mwende Kisumu,Wajir, Mombasa, Kitui; tunajenga kila mahali. Kama tungeanza hii kazi ya ujenzi miaka ishirini iliyopita, Kenya hii ingekuwa imebadilika kiasi ya kwamba amgeiona vizuri.“
“Na mimi nataka niwaeleze, in the next two years, hii elbagon itabadilika itakuwa city,” Ruto declared.
Extending the city narrative
Ruto’s remarks in Elburgon come amid a series of similar pledges he has made in other parts of the country, where he has committed to upgrading several towns into cities.
Earlier this month, he reaffirmed plans to elevate Meru to city status, noting that the government had already released billions of shillings for road construction and market development to support the upgrade.
Similarly, in May this year, Ruto pledged to transform Homa Bay into the second city in the Nyanza region after Kisumu. He made the announcement while launching the Homa Bay Pier, a project he said would boost trade and transport around Lake Victoria.
In Elburgon, Ruto also spoke about the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and assured residents that anyone registered under the scheme would receive medical treatment without being asked for payment in any hospital.