President William Ruto started an important visit to the Mt. Kenya region on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, which was also April Fools’ Day. This timing has led to different opinions among local people and political watchers.
The main purpose of this visit was to talk with residents and address their concerns, as Ruto wants to strengthen his government’s connection with one of Kenya’s key political areas.
He began his tour by speaking at several public events, where he shared his government’s plans for development and called for all leaders and communities in the region to come together.
Mt Kenya is an important voting area and has been very active in politics lately, with rising tensions over issues like economic problems and fair representation.
Some people in the region welcomed the president’s visit as a chance to express their worries, while others pointed out the interesting coincidence of it starting on April Fools’ Day.
A local trader in Nyeri, who didn’t want to share his name, said, “It’s either a smart move or a mistake—only time will tell.”
On the first day of his visit, Ruto promised to speed up infrastructure development, focusing on finishing road projects that had been delayed and increasing electricity access in areas that lack it.
At a public gathering, he stressed that his government is committed to improving the lives of the people through targeted investments.
“We are here to keep our promises. Better roads, reliable power, and clean water are not just words—they are our promise to you,” he reassured the residents.
Ruto also pledged to increase agricultural productivity, which is very important in Mt Kenya, by giving more support to farmers.
This includes subsidies for fertilisers and setting up modern markets to help farmers get better prices for their goods.
“We will not stop until every farmer in this region can succeed,” he said, highlighting plans for irrigation projects to help with changing rainfall patterns.
In addition to boosting the economy, Ruto talked about his plans for County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), stating these projects would create jobs and help manufacturing in the area.
He mentioned that each park would receive significant funding to support growth, aiming to attract the region’s young entrepreneurs.
This tour comes at a tense political time, as Ruto is facing criticism from some leaders in Mt. Kenya after the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in October 2024.
