Kindiki challenges opposition to account for development record

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has challenged opposition leaders to explain their development record. He urged Embu County residents not to be swayed by political rhetoric and instead evaluate their leaders based on tangible results. Since taking office in 2022, the Kenya Kwanza administration has made significant strides in development across all 47 counties, according to Kindiki.

"The level of development we have reached is not where we found things in 2022," he noted. The Deputy President addressed Embu County grassroots leaders in Manyatta Constituency, expressing his readiness to face residents and defend the government's achievements in key sectors such as agriculture, education, roads, and health. He challenged critics to present their own scorecards and explain the accomplishments of their predecessors.

Kindiki highlighted improvements in the coffee and milk prices, attributing the gains to government interventions. Coffee farmers now earn between Ksh120 and Ksh150 per kilogramme, while milk prices have increased from Sh33 to Ksh50 per litre. Additionally, he pointed to a reduction in fertilizer costs, which have dropped from Ksh7,000 in 2022 to Ksh2,000, aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.

Infrastructure development is another area where the government has delivered, Kindiki stated. Over 6,000 kilometres of roads have been returned to contractors nationally, with a 415-kilometre road programme allocated to Embu County. The construction of more than 600 modern markets across the country, including 12 in Embu County, has been initiated, with the figure increased from the initial allocation of seven upon the request of Embu leaders.

These markets are part of the government's initiative to restore dignity to small traders, he added. In the health sector, Kindiki highlighted the provision of modern diagnostic and treatment equipment for Level Five, Four, and Three hospitals through the SHA and National Equipment Support Programme. He emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that no Kenyan is disadvantaged due to illness, irrespective of their financial status.