Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Thursday, September 17, 2026, addressed residents of Maua in Igembe South Constituency, Meru County, where he combined a strong development message with a response to political criticism from leaders in the region. His visit focused largely on inspecting government projects in health, markets, infrastructure and other sectors, while also giving an update on projects that the government says are at various stages of implementation.

Kindiki said his main focus was on development and the completion of projects rather than engaging in political exchanges with his critics. He argued that residents were more concerned about practical issues such as roads, hospitals, markets, water and economic opportunities than political insults and slogans. His remarks came as political activity continues to increase ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.

During his Maua address, the Deputy President said he would not allow political attacks to divert his attention from his responsibilities in government. He said he had chosen to forgive leaders who had criticised him and President William Ruto and would instead concentrate on delivering projects to the people of Meru and other parts of Kenya.

Kindiki said political competition should ultimately involve leaders explaining their programmes and presenting their records to the public. He challenged his political opponents to explain what they accomplished when they previously held government positions rather than concentrating on personal attacks and political slogans.

He also adopted a conciliatory tone towards some of his critics from the Meru region. Kindiki described them as people with whom he had grown up and said political disagreements should not destroy relationships among people from the same community. He said he would continue respecting his critics despite their attacks.

Inspection of Nyambene Hospital

One of the main activities during Kindiki's visit was the inspection of the ongoing development at Nyambene Level 4 Hospital in Maua. The government is investing approximately Sh100 million in the facility as part of plans to expand its capacity and prepare it for elevation to a Level 5 hospital.

According to reports from the visit, the expansion is expected to increase the hospital's ability to provide specialised medical services to residents of Igembe South and neighbouring areas. Kindiki said the government also intends to equip the facility with modern diagnostic equipment through the National Equipment Support Programme.

The equipment is expected to improve the ability of medical workers to identify diseases and other health conditions at an earlier stage. The government has said the expansion will reduce the need for residents to travel long distances to larger referral hospitals for services that can eventually be provided closer to their homes.

Kindiki directed contractors to accelerate the work and ensure that the project is completed according to the required standards. He also warned against delays and poor workmanship, saying the government would monitor the Sh100 million investment to ensure that it delivers the intended services.

The planned elevation of Nyambene Hospital is also linked to wider changes in the health referral system in Meru County. Kindiki said Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital is being prepared for elevation to Level 6 status, creating the possibility of a stronger network of referral facilities within the county.

Maua Modern Market

Another major project inspected by Kindiki was the Maua Modern Market. The market is nearing completion and has been presented as part of the government's broader programme to establish modern markets in different parts of Meru County.

Reports from the visit put the cost of the Maua market project at about Sh450 million, although a Citizen report described the combined hospital and market projects inspected during the visit as worth Sh425 million, indicating that published figures vary. The more detailed reports from the Deputy President's visit separately list Sh100 million for the hospital expansion and Sh450 million for the Maua market.

The market is expected to provide traders with improved facilities while creating a more organised environment for commercial activities. Kindiki directed that the project should be completed quickly so that residents and traders can begin using the facility.

The Maua market forms part of a much larger programme involving the construction of modern markets across Meru County. According to government figures cited during the visit, 21 modern market projects are being implemented in different towns, including Kangeta, Laare, Mutuati, Mikinduri, Timau and Kianjai.

Gakoromone Modern Market

Kindiki also highlighted the Gakoromone Modern Market in Meru town, which has been allocated approximately Sh1 billion. The facility is expected to become one of the major modern markets in the country.

The investment in markets is part of the government's argument that development should improve the environment in which small-scale traders, farmers and other businesses operate. Modern markets can provide better trading spaces, sanitation facilities and other services compared with informal trading areas.

For Meru, the projects are also being linked to the broader goal of improving agricultural value chains. Better roads and markets can make it easier for farmers to transport produce from rural areas to trading centres.

Sh39 billion road programme

Road development was another major issue raised during the Maua visit. Kindiki said Meru County had received about Sh39 billion for road projects, while a further Sh3.7 billion had been allocated for link roads within Meru town.

The Deputy President said several roads that had remained stalled or had been demanded by residents for years were now being revived or constructed.

The government has linked the road programme to economic activity, particularly agriculture. Meru is an important agricultural region, and better roads can help farmers transport produce to markets while reducing the difficulties associated with poor rural connectivity.

Kindiki has previously said that major road projects would be implemented progressively depending on available resources. Earlier in September, he also discussed plans for major transport corridors linking parts of Mt Kenya East, including the Makutano, Mwea, Embu, Chuka, Meru and Maua areas.

Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital

Beyond Maua, Kindiki gave an update on the planned upgrading of Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital to Level 6 status. The project has been allocated approximately Sh1 billion, according to reports from the visit.

The planned elevation would strengthen Meru's position as a major healthcare centre and could reduce the pressure on referral facilities in Nairobi and other parts of the country.

Kindiki linked the Nyambene Hospital upgrade with this wider health strategy. Under the plan described during his visit, Nyambene would take on a larger referral role as the main Meru facility moves towards a higher level of specialised healthcare.

The Deputy President said the government was pursuing a health system in which Kenyans can receive quality services closer to where they live.

Meru County Aggregation and Industrial Park

Another project highlighted during the visit was the Meru County Aggregation and Industrial Park, whose construction cost has been reported at approximately Sh500 million.

The facility is nearing completion and is among the projects expected to be officially opened in the coming weeks. County aggregation and industrial parks are intended to support value addition and create opportunities for processing agricultural products before they reach markets.

For an agricultural county such as Meru, such facilities can potentially help farmers move beyond selling raw produce by supporting processing, aggregation and other commercial activities.

Kindiki also directed contractors working on government projects to provide employment opportunities for young people in the local communities. The instruction was presented as part of an effort to ensure that development projects generate local economic benefits while construction is taking place.

Maua Stadium

A further development mentioned during the latest update was the proposed construction of Maua Stadium. Capital FM reported that the stadium project had been allocated Sh300 million and that construction would commence after delays linked to a land ownership dispute.

The development is significant because sporting facilities can provide spaces for athletics, football and other activities while also supporting youth programmes.

The land issue, however, illustrates one of the challenges that can delay public projects even after funding has been allocated. The latest government position is that the project should proceed after the dispute that had delayed it is addressed.

Kindiki's political message

Although the Maua visit centred on development, politics featured prominently in Kindiki's speech. The Deputy President accused some political opponents of concentrating on insults and slogans instead of presenting alternative programmes.

He said he would not respond to the criticism in the same manner and maintained that his focus would remain on development.

Kindiki also challenged former government officials and political opponents to explain their own records in office. His remarks were directed at the wider political debate as parties and leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Standard reported that Kindiki referred to criticism from several Meru political figures, including former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. These political disagreements form part of a wider contest over leadership and political influence in the region.

Kindiki's remarks about the 2027 election should therefore be understood as political statements made by the Deputy President, rather than as an independent assessment of the election or its likely outcome.

What the Maua developments mean for residents

The projects announced and inspected in Maua touch on several areas that directly affect residents. The hospital expansion concerns healthcare access, while the modern market is aimed at improving trading facilities. Roads are connected to transportation and agricultural markets, while the industrial park is intended to support value addition and economic activity.

The key issue going forward will be implementation. Residents will be watching whether the projects are completed within the promised timelines, whether the facilities are properly equipped and whether they become fully operational after construction.

Kindiki's instruction to contractors to speed up work also places attention on project timelines and quality. Completing buildings alone will not be sufficient if the facilities do not receive equipment, personnel and operational funding.

The Nyambene Hospital project in particular will require both physical expansion and the provision of appropriate medical equipment and personnel if it is to take on a greater referral role.