Ruto Confirms Meru to Become Kenya’s Sixth City as Ksh.7B Nithi Bridge Redesign Begins
President Ruto has announced that the government will upgrade Meru town to a city and invest heavily in infrastructure projects to transform the region’s economy and safety standards.
Speaking on Sunday at St. Mary’s AIPCA Church in Kathelwa, Meru County, the Head of State revealed that Ksh.7 billion has been set aside to redesign the Nithi Bridge — a structure he described as a long-standing “death trap” for motorists and pedestrians.
“We want to straighten the Nithi Bridge so that it stops being a trap where citizens lose their lives and experience many accidents,” President Ruto said.
He also disclosed that Ksh.2 billion has been allocated for road construction and rehabilitation in Meru County. Ruto attributed the delay in previous road projects to the economic challenges and inflationary pressures of 2022 but assured residents that funding is now secured for the next two years.
“Now we have a funded plan for roads for the next two years. This will make our roads safe,” he added.
The President said Meru will be the sixth city in Kenya and that the county must meet critical infrastructure requirements including modern roads, markets and a state lodge.
To achieve this, the government — in partnership with the World Bank — has allocated Ksh.5 billion for a 10-kilometre road and bypass to ease traffic and support Meru’s transition to a city. Additionally, Ksh.800 million has been committed to the construction of 17 modern markets to boost local trade and economic growth.
Ruto also spoke about the affordable housing project in Meru, saying 2,000 units have already been completed and 8,000 more are planned once land is acquired. He noted that of the Ksh.33 billion allocated for housing projects in the region, Ksh.21 billion has been used and Ksh.12 billion remains.
“We need land to build more housing units. Ksh.33 billion was allocated for housing in Meru; Ksh.21 billion has been used and Ksh.12 billion remains,” the President said.Education and electrification were also on the agenda. Ruto said 100,000 new teachers have been employed and 23,000 schools built to ensure equal access to education across the country.
“Education is empowerment. No child in Kenya will miss school,” he said, adding that university and technical college fees have been reduced by 14 to 15 percent and students from disadvantaged backgrounds can pay Ksh.10,000 per term.
To boost rural development, the President announced a Ksh.2 billion rural electrification programme targeting 26,000 households in Meru County.
Ruto reiterated that his government will turn Meru into a model city, saying the investments will make the county a hub for trade, housing and education in the Mt. Kenya region.
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Ruto Confirms Meru to Become Kenya’s Sixth City as Ksh.7B Nithi Bridge Redesign Begins