Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has unveiled the government plan to tarmack 177 kilometres of roads across Nyeri County, in a major infrastructure programme expected to improve transport and spur economic activities in the region.
Speaking at Ihururu Shopping Centre on Thursday, 1st October 2026, the Deputy President said the government had resumed construction of roads that stalled after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the economy and strained government finances.
He said Tetu has about 133 kilometres of Mau Mau roads, reflecting the area’s historical role in Kenya’s struggle for independence noting that about 65 per cent of the network had already been completed.
“The remaining road network is going to be completed in the next one year under this administration. We are urging you to be patient with us ,” Kindiki said.
Among the roads being worked on is the route from Ihururu Junction through Kanjora and Dedan Kimathi University towards Mweiga among others.
Kindiki said the roads were initiated during the administration of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta but stalled when resources had to be redirected towards stabilising the economy following the pandemic.
He said the government had cleared Sh 177 billion owed to road contractors, allowing them to return to construction sites across the country.
“Across Kenya, more than 6,000 kilometres of roads are now being worked on. The contractors have returned, the roads are being built and they will be completed for use by Kenyans,” he said.
The Deputy President said the Kenya Kwanza administration had planned to put 775 kilometres of roads in Nyeri County under tarmac at a cost of Sh45 billion.
“This is the time to build Kenya afresh; kilometre by kilometre, inch by inch, until we make Kenya a modern country,” he noted.
Kindiki also highlighted measures being implemented by the government to improve earnings for farmers, particularly those producing coffee, milk and other agricultural products.
He said coffee farmers were now earning between Sh120 and Sh140 per kilogramme, compared with Sh50 to Sh60 four years ago.
He said the government had also increased the price of milk from between Sh33 and Sh35 per kilogramme to about Sh50, while working to raise the earnings further.
On farm inputs, Kindiki said subsidised fertiliser, which cost about Sh7,000 per bag in 2022, had been reduced to Sh2,500 and would now be available at Sh2,000 per bag.
He also added that the price of two kilogrammes of maize seed has also been reduced from Sh600 to Sh300, while a one-kilogramme pack will cost Sh150.
He said the government was also supplying milk coolers to cooperatives in Nyeri to help farmers preserve their produce and reduce losses.
Kindiki said the cost of cattle semen had been reduced from Sh8,000 to Sh1,400 per dose to encourage farmers to embrace artificial insemination and improve dairy production.
“Supporting them with affordable fertiliser, maize seed and cattle semen is what strengthens the economy and supports people at the grassroots,” he said.
The Deputy President also reported progress in healthcare, saying Nyeri was among the counties with the highest registration for Taifa Care under the Social Health Authority.
He said 33 million Kenyans had registered, representing about 70 per cent of the population and urged residents who had not registered to do so.
The government has allocated Sh1 billion for the improvement of Nyeri Provincial General Hospital, with the contractor already on site.
The second in command said another Sh1 billion is being spent on upgrading the Mwai Kibaki Teaching and Referral Hospital in Othaya to Level Six status.
Kindiki said the facility would provide specialised treatment for patients suffering from heart and kidney diseases, diabetes and other serious conditions, reducing the need for residents to travel to Nairobi for treatment.
On electricity connectivity, he said Sh650 million had been allocated to connect an additional 12,000 households across Nyeri Countymadsing Tetu will receive Sh89 million for the connection of about 2,000 additional homes to the national power grid.
Kindiki also said 13 markets were at different stages of development across Nyeri, including facilities in Nyeri Town, Asian Quarters, Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima, Nyeri Modern Market, Kiamaina, Kiawara, Rumoro, Mweiga, Mathira and Othaya.
He said the markets were intended to provide traders, particularly women, with cleaner and modern spaces to conduct business.
“Bottom-up is about taking our mothers out of the mud and dust and bringing them into modern markets with modern facilities,” he said.
Further the DP said Ruring’u Stadium was 70 per cent complete and that he would inspect the project, with the Government targeting completion by December or January.
Kindiki also addressed the rising concern over alcohol and drug abuse among young people, calling for greater involvement of parents, churches and communities in helping those affected.
He warned that the government would tighten regulation of the alcohol industry and conduct fresh inspections of manufacturers.
“All alcohol manufacturers must be inspected afresh and those who do not meet the required health and quality standards will not be allowed to continue,” he said.
He also promised increased support for rehabilitation centres to help young people battling alcohol and drug addiction.
“We cannot run a country on the basis of young people who are drunk or taking drugs. Young people, we love you so much and we cannot allow you to destroy your future,” Kindiki said.
He was joined by Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, MPs Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Dancun Mathenge (Nyeri Town), MCAs and other leaders.
