President Ruto Outlines Massive Development Plans for Thika and Witeithie, Notes 5,100 Youth Employed in Thika

President William Ruto on Friday toured a section of Thika Town Constituency, outlining a series of development projects and investments aimed at boosting employment, infrastructure and economic growth in Kiambu County.

During the visit, the President said ongoing affordable housing, market construction and related projects in Thika alone have already created jobs for more than 5,100 youth. He noted that young people are engaged across various sectors, including engineering, architecture, masonry, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, interior design, welding and other service fields.

Nationally, Ruto said the programmes have so far employed about 640,000 youth, with Kiambu County accounting for about 60,000 of those jobs.

He added that the government is targeting to create at least one million jobs for young people by next year, noting that since 2022, such initiatives have already engaged over 1.8 million youth. He described the approach as part of his broader development agenda, which he likened to a “road to Singapore” driven by large-scale investments.

The President also inspected the ongoing reconstruction of Thika Stadium, which is being upgraded into a 10,000-seater ultra-modern facility at a cost of Ksh. 900 million. The project is expected to be completed by December this year, with Jamhuri Day celebrations in the region set to be hosted at the new stadium.

As part of his tour, Ruto visited several key projects, including the Thika Depot, Bustani (Starehe Grounds) Affordable Housing project, Government Quarters (Huduma Centre) Housing project and the Thika Stadium.

In neighbouring Witeithie Estate in Juja Sub-County, the President pledged that the Witeithie ESP Market will be completed within the next three months, after which an extension market will be constructed to accommodate more small-scale traders.

He further promised the tarmacking of the Witeithie–Muhaka–Ndarugu–Nyacaba Road, the 15-kilometre Nyacaba–Ndarugu Road and the Kimbo–Matangi-ini Road. According to the President, tenders for the projects will be announced next week, with construction expected to be completed within one year.

Addressing social infrastructure gaps in Witeithie, President Ruto pledged Ksh. 20 million towards the construction of a public primary school and directed Juja MP George Koimburi and former Witeithie MCA Julius Taki to identify suitable land for the project.

He noted that Witeithie Estate currently lacks a public primary school, a TVET institution, and a public hospital, underscoring the need for urgent investment in essential services.

President Ruto defended his administration’s track record, saying the government will rely on its development achievements to win public support amid heightened political competition. He emphasised that his administration remains focused on delivering tangible results in infrastructure, energy and economic empowerment, rather than engaging in political confrontations.

On infrastructure, the President reiterated plans to construct 250 kilometres of roads across Kiambu County and complete all stalled road projects dating back to 2021, including the Mau Mau roads, within the next year.

In the housing sector, he revealed that Ksh. 45 billion has already been invested in affordable housing projects in Kiambu, targeting 18,000 housing units, most of which are expected to be completed before the end of the year. In Thika alone, nearly 1,000 units have been delivered over the past two years.

The government is also set to spend Ksh. 5 billion to complete 33 modern markets across the county within the next two to three months, alongside an additional Ksh 4.5 billion investment in hostels to accommodate up to 15,000 students in TVET institutions, colleges and universities. In total, about Ksh 55 billion will be channeled into housing and market projects across Kiambu County.

During the tour, the president was accompanied by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Juja MP George Koimburi, among other local leaders.