President William Ruto has tasked his deputy Kithure Kindiki with the role of eliminating cartels that are taking advantage of miraa farmers.
The President pointed out that cartels within the sector are frustrating government efforts to return miraa business to profitability for the benefit of farmers.
“Miraa is a cash crop just like tea, coffee or sugarcane, and we will make every effort to ensure that farmers get better prices,” he said on Wednesday.
He made the remarks in Maua, Igembe South Constituency, Meru County, during his third day of the development tour in Central Kenya.
Deputy President Kindiki said he was ready to take on the cartels.
“Just as I did with cattle rustlers when I was in charge of the Interior ministry, leave the cartels to me. I will deal with them,” he said.
Besides crushing the cartels, President Ruto said the government is negotiating with the Somalia for higher prices of miraa exports.
The third day of the President’s tour took him to Meru and Kirinyaga counties. He was accompanied by Governors Isaac Mutuma (Meru), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), and former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi.
He began the day’s activities by launching a Huduma Centre at Maua town, which is set to be completed by the end of the year.
“You’ll no longer need to travel to Meru or Isiolo to access government services. Soon, you’ll be getting them right here,” he said.
He then laid the foundation stone for a KSh280 million modern market in the town, and launched the KSh1.6 billion Maua Sewerage Line Last Mile Connectivity.
He directed the Ministry of Lands and Housing to tender for 500 affordable housing units, saying it would create jobs for the young people in the area.
He then commissioned the Kibiru Beef Feedlot and issued 10,800 title deeds to the residents of New Kiare in Tigania West Constituency.
He said the government, in partnership with Chinese investors, will build a mega wind power project at a cost of KSh40 billion.
He urged the residents who received the title deeds to take advantage of the ownership documents to bargain with the investors for fair prices for the use of their land for the wind power project.
Later, he commissioned the Kenya Power Nkuene Sub-Station in South Imenti Constituency, which is being put up at a cost of KSh230 million.
“This project will stabilise electricity in this area and benefit your tea factories and hotels,” he said.
The President said the National Government is spending KSh1.8 billion to connect 20,000 households to power in Meru County this financial year.
He also donated a school bus to Nkuene Girls Secondary School.
In Kirinyaga County, President Ruto commissioned the Goat Artificial Insemination Centre in Mwea Constituency.
The President also laid the foundation stone for a modern fresh produce market at Kagio in Kirinyaga Central Constituency, and flagged off the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity project
He said the government will spend KSh500 million to connect 6,200 households to power in Kirinyaga County.
He directed the Ministry of Lands and Housing to build 2,000 affordable housing units to benefit those who will be working at Sagana Special Economic Zone.
President Ruto thanked the people of Central Kenya for standing with him in the 2022 presidential elections, and assured them that he would reward their loyalty with development projects.
“You people helped me form this government. I will not forget or betray the trust you bestowed on me,” he said.
Others who accompanied President Ruto were Cabinet Secretaries Eric Mugaa (Water), Alice Wahome (Lands and Housing), William Kabogo (ICT), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy) and Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Principal Secretaries, MPs, MCAs and other leaders.
