Mount Kenya leaders want to meet Ruto, CSs during Nyeri retreat

A section of Nyeri leaders and residents have outlined their expectations ahead of President William Ruto's meeting with his Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) and the Principal Secretaries (PS) at the Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nyeri County.

The leaders are seeking to have an audience with the President and his Cabinet during the four-day retreat in order to discuss development matters in the region.

Nyeri Town Member of Parliament (MP) Duncan Maina said that there are three key issues that they will be requesting the President to address among them extension of the dual carriageway from Marua, through Gatitu, Wambugu Farm, King'ong'o, Dedan Kimathi University, Nyaribo Airstrip all the way to Chaka township and from Dedan Kimathi University to Mweiga.

"That would really spur development and attract investment into our county," Maina said.

He also said that they would want water issues addressed where they called for the construction of a mega dam in the Aberdares Forest as well as the revival of the coffee industry which is the major cash crop in his constituency.

"Nyeri is a water-deficient county and we have had the issue of the Kieni mega dams we are proposing a third mega-dam in the Aberdares in order to secure drinking water provision for Nyeri town, Tetu, lower parts of Mukurwe-ini and Mathira. We also want coffee prices reviewed as most residents rely on it," the legislator said.

Ruto promises

On his part, Mathira MP Erick Wamumbi said the first agenda of the meeting should be on reviving the economy as the President and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua promised Kenyans during the campaigns.

"We promised our people that we are going to sort the economic status of this country and the President and his deputy have been committed to laying the foundation on how to sort the economy of this country and I know in his meeting, this will be the first agenda," he said.

He also urged the president to give the Mt Kenya leaders audience so as to lay down issues affecting the people of the region.

The residents said that they would want matters of the high cost of living addressed as well as the revival of the coffee and tea sector which is the major source of income.

"We are calling upon our president to address the high cost of living as he promised us during the campaigns. We are still hopeful that it will be addressed," Benjamin Mwangi a boda boda operator said.

They also urged the President to review the issue of increasing school fees as many learners would end up staying home owing to the deplorable state of the economy.