By D, KNA
Leaders from Mount Kenya region have reaffirmed their commitment to wage a war on drug abuse in the area to ensure that residents remained focused on the development agenda.
They also vowed to deliver development and restore order among the communities, as part of their broader plan to uplift their living standards.
Speaking during a developmental tour in Kirinyaga County, former Cabinet Secretary and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, accompanied by Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, outlined a series of interventions in security, health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The leaders urged Kenyans to focus on real progress rather than divisive politics.
Kiunjuri noted that the government has made notable gains in security, reporting that no cases of abductions or killings had been recorded in the past two months.
He appealed to parents and the church to guide young people, particularly the Gen Zs to express their grievances peacefully.
While acknowledging youth activism, he warned against infiltration of peaceful demonstrations by violent groups.
On health reforms, Kiunjuri highlighted changes within the Social Health Authority (SHA), explaining that Kenyans will only contribute for four months instead of a full year.
He further assured residents that the Linda Mama programme would continue under SHA to protect maternal care, while other concerns are being addressed.
Education and training also featured prominently in his address, with the Laikipia East MP reminding Kenyans that the capitation per student had always stood at Sh16,000 and not Sh22,000 as widely perceived.
He assured parents and learners that no school would miss out on government allocations, despite occasional delays in disbursements.
The government, he said, has hired more teachers than any previous administration and invested in classrooms to support growing enrollment.
He further revealed that stalled road projects in Kirinyaga have resumed and will soon be completed.
Kiunjuri also revealed that Kirinyaga Central will benefit from the First Mile Connectivity Project, with Sh114 million allocated to connect every household to electricity.
The MP also disclosed plans to establish the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Kirinyaga Campus to equip local youth with medical skills and boost the county’s economy.
Turning to law enforcement, Kiunjuri called on security officers to intensify the fight against crime and warned that rogue officers working with criminals would also face justice.
He pledged to engage the Inspector General of Police to strengthen community safety.
In particular, he emphasized the government’s resolve to wage a sustained war against drug and alcohol abuse in Mt. Kenya.
“The fight against drugs will not spare even those mandated to enforce the law,” he said.
At the same time, agriculture remained central to the tour, with Kiunjuri announcing that subsidized fertilizer was available for local farmers at designated centers, with plans to move distribution, even closer to villages.
He also disclosed that the cost of high-quality hybrid semen for livestock farmers had been reduced significantly to promote dairy productivity.
On social protection, Kiunjuri reassured senior citizens and persons with disabilities that despite challenges experienced during the cleaning of the social register, no deserving beneficiary would be left out of their monthly stipends.
On his part, Gitari put a spotlight on the county’s infrastructure transformation, saying roads remain the backbone of Kirinyaga’s economy.
He highlighted the recarpeting of the Karatina–Kerugoya-Kutus highway by the national government and announced the official commencement of the Mutira–Kagumo–Kiamaina–Gathuthuma–Kianjagi road project, a 12Km road expected to be completed by February 2026.
Gitari explained that these roads will directly benefit farmers, traders, and students by cutting transport costs, opening up markets, and reducing travel time.
“This road network is not just about tarmac; it is about linking farmers to buyers, children to schools, and patients to hospitals. It is about giving dignity to our people by making movement safe, faster, and more affordable,” he said.
He assured residents that the implementation would be closely monitored to guarantee transparency and efficiency.
“I will continue working with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure the projects are completed on time and to the highest standard.
Kirinyaga Central is on the rise and no village will be left behind,” said Gitari, noting that several feeder roads were also being upgraded to ease access into interior areas.
