OYOMINTO TV.
The President said the Government will accelerate issuance of title deeds in the Coast region in an effort to address squatter and other land ownership challenges.
He noted that 20,000 title deeds will be issued to residents of Taita-Taveta next week while about 300,000 titles are ready for distribution across the Coast region. The Government targets to issue about 500,000 title deeds in the region by December.
The President said many regions in the Coast, including Taita-Taveta, have lagged behind for decades, declaring that the era of discrimination and marginalisation against the county and other historically underserved regions is over.
He pledged to accelerate development through roads, markets, education, housing, water and other infrastructure projects, noting that communities in the region have long been disadvantaged by unequal allocation of national resources.
Additionally, the President outlined new investments aimed at transforming the county.
“We are ending decades of marginalisation. In Taita-Taveta, we are building roads, modern markets, stadia and affordable housing just as we are doing in every part of the country,” he pointed out.
He said every corner of the country must receive its fair share of national development, adding that transformation would no longer be based on political or regional identity.
“Politics of marginalisation and tribalism belong to the past,” he said.
President Ruto explained that the Government has allocated KSh15 billion for road projects in Taita-Taveta, including the Njukini-Illasit road which will connect the county to Kajiado.
Other projects are Cess to Lake Jipe, Voi-Sagala and Maungu-Kasigau roads as well as the 54km Bura-Mto Mwagodi road linking Wundanyi to the Voi-Taveta-Holili highway.
The President expressed concern over the condition of the Wundanyi-Wumingu road, saying its construction would be given priority.
“The road from Wundanyi town to Wumingu Technical College will be tarmacked while water and electricity will be connected to the institution and the local community,” he said.
He gave KSh7 million to the college for connecting water to the institution.
Additionally, President Ruto pledged to address water challenges in Wundanyi, saying KSh30 billion will be mobilised under the National Infrastructure Fund for water projects in the county.
At the same time, seven markets are currently under construction in the county, he said, with more planned for Taita-Taveta.
Present were Taita-Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime and MPs, among other leaders.
On education, President Ruto said the Government is addressing accommodation challenges facing students in institutions of higher learning.
In Taita-Taveta County, he noted, the Government is investing KSh2 billion to build hostels for 5,000 students at university, technical college and Kenya Medical Training College under the Affordable Housing Programme.
The President laid the foundation stone for KSh145 million student hostels at Wumingu Technical and Vocational College, which will provide 340 beds.
He said the investments are part of wider education reforms designed to expand access to education regardless of a family’s financial circumstances.
“Access to education should not depend on the financial status of the family, but on the intelligence of the child. No child should be left behind. That is why we are building hostels across the country, including here in Wumingu,” he said.
He stated that the Government is reviewing the higher education funding model to ensure students from low-income households have equitable access to university, technical education and health training.
“We are reviewing the funding model so that a child of Mama Mboga and that of the President have equitable opportunities for education. We have taken a Bill to Parliament to facilitate access to funding by all students,” he said.
Shifting to health reforms, the President called on Taita-Taveta residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying this will enable the Government to better plan for hospital facilities, adequate medicine and enough doctors.
He pointed out that about 250,000 out of 340,000 people in Taita-Taveta have registered with SHA, representing 73 percent of the county’s population.
He said the reforms are meant to deliver affordable health care, ensuring that no household is forced to sell property when a family member falls sick.
President Ruto said KSh1 billion has been disbursed to hospitals in the county for services rendered under SHA.
On electricity, the Head of State said in the last three years, 15,000 people have been connected to power in the county, with KSh1 billion set aside to provide electricity to an additional 10,000 residents.
He attributed the current pace of development to the Broad-Based Government formed through cooperation between the United Democratic Alliance and the Orange Democratic Movement.
“I joined hands with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga so that we can make Kenya equitable and fair for all,” President Ruto explained.
The President also defended the construction of sports stadia, saying the facilities are important in providing opportunities for young people. He faulted those criticising the infrastructure projects, pointing out that they do not mean well for young people.
He was emphatic that his administration would remain focused on delivering its development agenda.
“I have no time to retreat or surrender. I have roads and markets to build,” he said.
In Wundanyi town, the President launched the construction of a modern market and a 385-unit Affordable Housing Project, investments that will create opportunities and improve livelihoods of the residents.
Further, he commissioned Lessesia School in Taveta.
On his part, Mr Mvurya said the region is witnessing what he described as a new phase of equitable development.
“This is the first time we have a President who is implementing equitable development,” he said.
Mr Kingi said communities in the region have waited for development for decades.
“We are happy you are taking development to every corner of the country. No region is being marginalised anymore. Places like Wundanyi will no longer lag in development,” he said.
Taita-Taveta leaders welcomed the Government’s development projects, saying the county had experienced decades of marginalisation.
Governor Mwadime said the region is witnessing a level of development that has not been seen since independence.
“We are grateful for what you are doing. Since independence, we haven’t seen this level of development,” he said, describing the President as a leader who listens and acts on the concerns of citizens.
Women Rep Lydia Haika said the region is feeling the impact of education reforms and other programmes.
The leaders also commended the Government for reducing the price of fertiliser for a 50kg bag from KSh7,500 to KSh2,000.
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