Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was in Nyeri County on Thursday, October 1, 2026, where he inspected ongoing road construction works and used the visit to highlight the government’s wider infrastructure programme in the county. His visit focused particularly on the Mau Mau Lot 3 road project in Tetu Constituency, while he also spoke about the government’s plans for roads, electricity connections and other development projects across Nyeri. 

Kindiki inspected ongoing works along the Ihururu Junction–Kanjora–Dedan Kimathi University–Maigiyuini road and the Ihururu Junction–Njoguini–Kahigaini road. The roads form part of the Mau Mau Lot 3 programme, which is intended to improve connectivity in the area and make transportation easier for residents, farmers and businesses.

Kindiki explains why road projects are resuming

During his inspection, Kindiki linked the renewed construction activity to the government's clearance of debts owed to contractors. He said the government had cleared KSh177 billion in legacy contractor debts, which he said had enabled the resumption of more than 6,000 kilometres of road projects around the country. 

The Deputy President presented the road programme as an important part of the government's development agenda. For Nyeri specifically, he said the government plans to construct or upgrade 775 kilometres of roads across the county.

The road programme is expected to cover all six constituencies in Nyeri: Mathira, Othaya, Mukurwe-ini, Kieni, Nyeri Town and Tetu. Previous government statements have put the allocation for the programme at about KSh45 billion. 

The emphasis on roads is particularly significant for Nyeri because agriculture is an important part of the local economy. Farmers depend on reliable roads to transport milk, coffee and other agricultural products from farms to markets.

Kindiki has previously explained that poor roads can result in farmers losing money, particularly during rainy periods when vehicles struggle to reach farms. He said better roads would help farmers move their produce efficiently and support agricultural businesses.

Projects across Nyeri County

The Mau Mau Lot 3 roads are only part of the development programme highlighted by Kindiki during his Nyeri visits.

The government has also been implementing last-mile electricity connections across the county. According to Kindiki, about 32,000 households in Nyeri had already benefited from the programme, while another 12,000 households are expected to receive electricity connections following an additional allocation of approximately KSh650 million. 

Electricity connections are expected to have an impact beyond household lighting. They can support small businesses, improve access to digital services and allow residents to operate businesses that require electricity.

Kindiki has also highlighted the construction of modern markets in different parts of the county. According to reports, 13 modern markets are under development, while Marikiti Market in Karatina has been completed. 

The government is also implementing affordable housing and hostel projects. Reports indicate that 10 affordable housing projects and six hostel projects are ongoing in Nyeri. These projects are part of the national government's wider housing and urban-development programme. 

Ruring'u Stadium and health facilities

Another project highlighted during Kindiki's Nyeri development tours is Ruring'u Stadium in Nyeri Town. The stadium project had stalled for many years, but construction has since resumed.

Government officials have said the project is expected to be completed before the end of 2026. Its completion would provide a major sporting and recreational facility for residents of Nyeri Town and surrounding areas. 

Health infrastructure is another area where the government has announced investments.

Kindiki has highlighted plans to upgrade Mwai Kibaki Teaching and Referral Hospital in Othaya to a Level Six facility. The government has allocated approximately KSh1 billion for the upgrade. Another KSh1 billion has been allocated toward improvements at Nyeri Level Five Hospital, according to reports. 

The proposed health investments are intended to strengthen medical services within the county and reduce the need for patients to travel outside Nyeri for specialised treatment.

Kindiki's message on contractors

One of the strongest messages Kindiki has delivered during his Nyeri development inspections concerns contractors responsible for government projects.

He has warned contractors who delay projects or fail to meet the terms of their contracts that they could be removed from government projects. During his earlier inspection in Mathira, he said contractors who were not fulfilling their agreements had no place on government projects, particularly where payments had already been made while projects remained incomplete. 

Kindiki said his responsibility was to ensure that government projects were completed on time and according to the required standards.

The message is significant because infrastructure projects can take years when contractors face financial, logistical or administrative challenges. The Deputy President's position is that contractors must meet their obligations once they receive government contracts and payments.

Kindiki's message about development and politics

Kindiki's recent visits to Nyeri have also included a strong message about political unity and the need for leaders to concentrate on development.

On September 29, while speaking in Mathira, he urged leaders from the Mount Kenya region to avoid political insults and instead concentrate on development. He argued that political competition should not result in divisions or violence among residents. 

He has repeatedly called on politicians to present their policies and allow voters to make their own decisions.

Kindiki said the region should remain united despite political differences and argued that political disagreements should not lead to violence or attacks between supporters of different political groups. 

He also said he had listened to advice from elders to avoid insulting political opponents and stated that he would concentrate on development rather than exchanging political attacks.

Focus on farmers

Agriculture has remained an important theme in Kindiki's Nyeri engagements.

The Deputy President has linked road construction to the welfare of farmers, particularly those involved in dairy and coffee production. Improved roads can make it easier for milk collection vehicles to reach farms and for farmers to transport coffee and other produce to markets.

He has argued that development should ultimately translate into better economic opportunities and higher incomes for ordinary residents.

Kindiki has therefore presented the road programme, electricity connections, markets, health facilities and sporting infrastructure as interconnected elements of development.

What Kindiki's Nyeri visit means

The October 1 inspection of the Mau Mau Lot 3 roads provided an opportunity for the government to demonstrate that several infrastructure projects in Nyeri are moving forward.

The most prominent announcement from today's inspection is the government's continued commitment to the 775-kilometre road programme, alongside the ongoing Mau Mau Lot 3 works. Kindiki also used the occasion to explain that the clearing of contractor debts had helped restart thousands of kilometres of road projects nationally.

For residents, the progress of these projects will ultimately be measured by whether roads are completed, electricity reaches additional households, markets become operational and health facilities improve their services.

Kindiki's message has therefore combined infrastructure development with accountability and political unity. He has called for contractors to complete projects within agreed timelines while urging leaders to avoid political divisions and focus on issues affecting residents.

As the government continues implementing its development programme in Nyeri, attention will now turn to the actual completion of the announced projects, particularly the extensive road network, electricity connections, markets, affordable housing, health facilities and Ruring'u Stadium.

Overall, Kindiki's October 1 visit to Nyeri centred on inspecting ongoing infrastructure rather than simply announcing new projects. The Mau Mau Lot 3 roads were at the heart of the visit, while the Deputy President also highlighted the wider development programme covering all six constituencies. His remarks placed particular emphasis on road connectivity, support for farmers, completion of delayed projects and the need for political leaders in Mount Kenya to maintain unity while allowing political competition to take place peacefully.