President William Ruto has told the people of Elburgon that their town will become a city in the next two years. He mentioned that the development projects happening all over the country are part of his government’s bigger vision to modernise Kenya.
While laying the foundation stone for the Michinda Social Housing Programme in Elburgon, Nakuru County, on Monday, October 27, 2025, Ruto called out leaders he said were caught up in empty talk and drama rather than concentrating on development.
He mentioned that his government is focused on delivering projects aimed at improving lives, enhancing infrastructure, and creating more economic opportunities for Kenyans.
“Kenya can’t be built with just words or tricks.” “Kenya is being built with projects and development plans,” Ruto told the crowd. “Nani alijua kwamba ghorofa kumi na nne itajengwa Elburgon? Nani alijua kwamba inawezekana? Hivyo basi, ili kubadilisha Kenya, tunahitaji viongozi wenye akili, maono, na mipango mzuri.”
“Unajua, Kenya imechelewa sana kwa sababu viongozi wengi ni watu wa bwerere. Kumangamanga, tu kelele! Sarakasi, oh, I don’t know, but I really have to go! Si jui KASONGO! Hey there! That’s just nonsense. Do you guys understand me? Sikizeni, my friends!”
The president mentioned that his administration is all about making sure there’s balanced development in every county. He also pointed out how towns that used to be seen as rural centres are now changing quickly.
“Hii, tunajenga nyumba hapa, tunajenga Kenya mzima. Tunajenga Nairobi, Mmeona? Kila city, ukipita Nakuru, nenda Eldoret. Mwende Kisumu, Wajir, Mombasa, Kitui; tunajenga kila mahali, si hivyo? Kama tungeanza hii kazi ya ujenzi miaka ishirini iliyopita, Kenya hii ingekuwa imebadilika kiasi kwamba ungeiona vizuri.”
“And I want to tell you, in the next two years, this Elbagon will change and become a city,” Ruto declared.
Ruto’s comments in Elburgon are part of a string of promises he’s been making across the country, where he’s been talking about upgrading several towns into cities.
Earlier this month, he confirmed the plans to upgrade Meru to city status, mentioning that the government has already put billions of shillings into road construction and market development to help with the transition.
In May this year, Ruto promised to turn Homa Bay into the second city in the Nyanza region, following Kisumu. He shared the news during the launch of the Homa Bay Pier, a project he mentioned would enhance trade and transport around Lake Victoria.
In Elburgon, Ruto chatted about the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and reassured residents that anyone signed up for the scheme would get medical treatment without having to pay at any hospital.