Ruto in Ukambani: Will the president address historical challenges and injustices?

President William Ruto’s planned development tour of Ukambani on Saturday, October 24, will put his “Usawa ni Sawa” message to a practical test in a region where water scarcity, recurring drought, stalled projects and demands for economic opportunities remain major concerns.

The President is expected to visit Makueni, Machakos and Kitui counties to commission completed projects, inspect ongoing works and launch new initiatives, according to Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who announced the visit.

Beyond the political reception, however, the significance of the tour will depend on whether the projects address long-standing development gaps affecting households, farmers, schools and businesses across the three counties.

For residents who have endured unreliable water supplies and climate-related crop losses, equality in development must mean more than a presidential visit. It must translate into dependable water infrastructure, productive farms, functioning public projects and economic opportunities that endure beyond political seasons.

Water security is among the clearest measures of whether the President’s development message will translate into everyday improvements.

In April 2026, the government said the Ksh1.7 billion Mwala Cluster Water Project was 93 per cent complete and expected to benefit approximately 150,000 residents. Designed to supply about 6,600 cubic metres of potable water daily, the project illustrates the scale of infrastructure required to address water shortages. Its ultimate impact will depend on completion and reliable distribution to households.

The wider question is whether similar investments can reach water-stressed communities across Kitui and Makueni, where access to water is essential not only for domestic use but also for livestock and agriculture.

The tour offers an opportunity to provide clear timelines for water projects and explain how the national and county governments will ensure that completed infrastructure remains operational.

The Thwake Multipurpose Dam is another measure of Ukambani’s development expectations.

Intended to support water supply, irrigation and hydropower, the project has faced delays. In October, the government and the African Development Bank said work had resumed, with water storage targeted for January 2027 and commissioning planned for April.

For farmers, the promise is not simply a completed dam but dependable irrigation that reduces reliance on unpredictable rainfall, supports commercial agriculture and creates opportunities for agro-processing.

Ruto’s visit could help clarify what remains unfinished, how the outstanding components will be funded and when surrounding communities can expect to benefit.

Ukambani’s development debate also concerns industrial investment and employment.

National Liberal Party leader Augustus Muli has highlighted stalled textile revival plans, irrigation and the need for industries that add value to local agricultural produce.

These concerns raise a broader question: can development spending generate lasting jobs rather than remain a list of construction projects?

Residents also need practical responses to drought-related food insecurity, environmental degradation and human-wildlife conflict in affected communities. Land ownership and access to title deeds remain important issues for households seeking secure tenure and the ability to use property for investment.

Mutuse has urged residents to welcome Ruto, describing him as a leader for Kenyans regardless of their political, regional or tribal affiliations.

The visit will test that message against tangible outcomes. Residents will need to know which projects will be completed, which remain stalled and what commitments come with clear budgets and deadlines.

Addressing historical development gaps will require more than launching new projects. It will also require completing existing ones, maintaining infrastructure and ensuring that public investment reaches communities that have waited for essential services.

For Ukambani, “Usawa ni Sawa” will carry greater weight if it delivers reliable water, productive farms, protected livelihoods and jobs that allow young people to build their futures locally.

The central question is whether the President’s visit will mark a turning point in addressing the region’s longstanding challenges—or add another set of promises whose impact residents will have to wait to see.