Kindiki Pledges Completion of Mau Mau Roads, Announces Sh300m Water Plan for Murang’a

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pledged that the government will complete the Kigumo section of the Mau Mau Roads Programme, assuring residents that funds have been secured to finish the stalled infrastructure project.

Speaking during a public engagement rally at Kinyona Shopping Centre in Kigumo Constituency, Murang’a County, on Friday, October 9, 2026, Kindiki said the government had paid contractors and resumed road construction following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Deputy President said the Mau Mau Roads Programme covers 225 kilometres in Murang’a County at a cost of Sh9 billion, with the government committing to complete the remaining works.

“I want to assure you, on behalf of the Government of Kenya, that we will construct and complete the Kigumo section of the Mau Mau Road, covering Ikumbi–Karinga–Kinyona–Mairi. We have the money required to complete this project,” Kindiki said.

He added that the road would eventually connect to adjoining sections towards Kagema and Kanyanyaine, improving connectivity across the county.

Kindiki said the government had disbursed Sh177 billion to contractors handling stalled road projects over the past four years, adding that more than 6,000 kilometres of roads were currently under construction nationally.

He also announced plans to prioritise the tarmacking of an additional 1,285 kilometres of roads in Murang’a County at an estimated cost of Sh56 billion.

The Deputy President acknowledged that some residents in the county’s hilly areas lacked access roads connecting their homes to the main road network. He said contractors had been instructed to assist affected communities but urged residents to be patient as the main roads were completed before feeder roads were addressed.

He further directed elected leaders to work with contractors and road authorities to identify schools and other local institutions that could benefit from corporate social responsibility initiatives linked to the projects.

Kindiki announces Sh300m water plan for underserved areas

Kindiki also pledged to pursue an additional Sh300 million to extend water supply to areas not adequately served by the Kinyona–Karinga Irrigation Project.

The Sh293 million project, launched earlier in Kinyona, is expected to provide irrigation water to 1,500 households cultivating 750 acres of land.

It is intended to support year-round production of high-value crops, including vegetables, avocados, bananas, tomatoes and French beans, with the aim of increasing farmers’ earnings and improving food security.

However, Kindiki noted that the elevation of the Gacharage, Mununga and Kamukafi ridge could prevent water from reaching the area through the planned irrigation system.

“I will sit down with Murang’a leaders so that we can identify an additional KSh300 million to supply water to that area as well. We want residents in that region to benefit from reliable water supplies,” he said.

He added that he had directed officials from the National Irrigation Authority and the Ministry of Water to identify the funding required to complete the irrigation project quickly and prevent delays.

Government promises support for tea and dairy farmers

The Deputy President also addressed concerns over agricultural earnings, promising further government intervention to improve returns for tea farmers while highlighting changes in milk prices and support for dairy production.

Kindiki said the price of milk had risen from Sh35 per litre in 2022 to Sh50, while acknowledging that tea farmers were yet to receive the improvement in earnings they wanted.

He said the government had a plan to address challenges in the tea sector, including improving returns and providing funding to upgrade tea factories.

Drawing a comparison with coffee, Kindiki said prices had risen from Sh50 per kilogramme to between Sh120 and Sh150 per kilogramme, adding that the government wanted to pursue similar improvements for tea farmers.

He also announced plans to distribute an additional 670 milk coolers nationally after an earlier allocation of 230 units proved insufficient to meet farmers’ needs.

Murang’a received 12 of the initial 230 coolers, with Kindiki saying the county would be prioritised in the next distribution because of its large dairy-farming population. The additional units are expected to arrive by the end of the year, according to his remarks.

The Deputy President further cited reductions in the cost of agricultural inputs, including fertiliser, certified maize seed and sexed semen, as part of the government’s efforts to support farmers.

Kigumo projects include markets, housing and student hostels

Kindiki outlined other development projects in Murang’a, including markets, affordable housing, student accommodation and electricity connectivity.

He said the county had 27 modern market projects intended to support small-scale traders and other businesses.

In Kigumo, the Sh342 million Gangare Market had been completed and handed over by President William Ruto, while construction of a market in Muthithi was nearing completion.

The Deputy President also cited 120 affordable housing units being constructed in Kigumo at a cost of Sh328 million.

At Kigumo Technical and Vocational College, the government is building student accommodation with a capacity of 340 beds at a cost of Sh145 million.

Kindiki said the government had allocated Sh1 billion for last-mile electricity connectivity across Murang’a County, targeting an additional 13,000 households. Of that amount, Kigumo was allocated Sh105 million to connect another 2,000 homes.

He put the total government allocation for modern markets, affordable housing and student hostels across Murang’a at Sh27 billion.

The Deputy President also highlighted stadium projects in the county, including Mumbi Stadium, valued at Sh950 million and managed by the Kenya Defence Forces, and the ongoing construction of Kakigwo Stadium.

Kindiki warns against political violence and illicit alcohol

Beyond development, Kindiki called on political leaders to avoid divisive rhetoric and violence, saying public engagements should focus on development records and solutions to residents’ problems.

He criticised leaders who mobilise young people to attack political opponents, warning that violence, property destruction and public disorder undermine peace and development.

“Our elders do not want any leader who promotes politics of violence, stone-throwing, chaos and the injury of innocent Kenyans,” he said, adding that elders from Kiama Kia Ma, the Kikuyu Council of Elders, Njuri Ncheke and Kiama Kia Mbeere had condemned such conduct.

Kindiki also renewed the government’s campaign against illicit alcohol and drugs, warning that authorities would pursue those selling dangerous products that threaten the health and lives of young people.

“Alcohol that leaves a young person lying in a ditch for two weeks is not alcohol; it is poison, and it is death,” he said.

He urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in efforts to curb the sale of illicit drinks and drugs.

The Deputy President further cautioned residents in landslide-prone areas to follow instructions from security officers, meteorological officials and disaster management teams as the rainy season approaches.

He said temporary evacuations should be observed where necessary to prevent loss of life and minimise damage to homes and property.