President William Ruto has announced that Meru town will be elevated to city status as part of an ambitious development plan that includes major infrastructure upgrades and social investments. The move will make Meru Kenya’s sixth city and is expected to transform it into a key economic hub in the Mt. Kenya region.
Speaking on Sunday at St. Mary’s AIPCA Church in Kathelwa, Meru County, President Ruto said the government has allocated Ksh.7 billion to redesign the Nithi Bridge, which has long been considered a safety hazard. He assured residents that his administration is determined to fix the bridge, describing it as a “death trap” that has endangered lives for nearly two decades.
“We want to straighten the Nithi Bridge so that it stops being a trap where citizens lose their lives and experience many accidents,” he said.
The President also revealed that Ksh.2 billion has been set aside for the construction and rehabilitation of roads in Meru County. He explained that previous delays were caused by the economic slowdown and inflationary pressures in 2022 but assured residents that funding for road projects is now fully secured for the next two years.
“Now we have a funded plan for roads over the next two years. This will ensure our roads are safe,” he added.
Ruto said Meru’s elevation to city status will require the county to meet essential infrastructure standards, including modern roads, markets, and the construction of a state lodge.
He noted that the national government, working with the World Bank, has set aside Ksh.5 billion for a 10-kilometre road and bypass to support Meru’s transition into a city.
In addition, Ksh.800 million has been allocated for the construction of 17 modern markets aimed at boosting local trade and spurring economic growth. The President added that the government plans to complete a state lodge in Meru by December as part of the preparations for city status.
“Na kwa sababu city inakuja Meru, mimi pia najipanga. Kuwe na State House hapo Meru. Ala! Kwani mnafikiri kutakuwa na city hapo na mimi nichelewe? Si lazima niwe hapo karibu? Si mmeskia hawa viongozi wanasema nikuje hapa siku tatu? Nyinyi mnataka nikuje hapa siku tatu nilale kwa hoteli? Si nitafute nyumba ya kulala hapo?” he said.
“Sasa nimeambia watu yangu kabla ya December kuwe na State Lodge hapa Meru, mahali ambayo sasa tutakuja tupange mambo ya eneo hii yoote. Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo, hii dunia yote mimi nitakua nakaa hapa nipange mambo yenu,” he added.
Ruto also revealed that 2,000 affordable housing units have already been completed in the county, while plans for an additional 8,000 units are underway, pending land acquisition.
“We need land to build more housing units. Ksh.33 billion was allocated for housing in Meru; Ksh.21 billion has been used, and Ksh.12 billion remains,” he said.
The President further emphasized that education and rural electrification remain key pillars of the government’s development agenda for Meru and the larger Mt. Kenya region.
President Ruto said the government has hired 100,000 teachers and constructed 23,000 schools across the country to guarantee that every child has access to education.
“Education is empowerment. No child in Kenya will miss school,” he affirmed, adding that fees for universities and technical colleges have been reduced by between 14 and 15 percent, with students from low-income families now paying Ksh.10,000 per term.
He also announced a Ksh.2 billion allocation for rural electrification in Meru County, which will connect power to 26,000 households as part of the government’s efforts to improve living standards and support local development.
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