President William Ruto’s Security Advisor, Ambassador Monica Juma, over the weekend wooed the residents of Ukambani with the launch of high mast lights.

While unveiling the lights well known as 'mlika mwizi' at Nuu village in Mwingi Central, Kitui County, Amb Juma dismissed claims that the head of state had discriminated against the region.

Juma instead urged the residents from the larger Ukambani region to embrace projects which are being implemented by the government, saying that this is the only way that the region will benefit from Ruto’s tenure.

Her sentiments come a few days after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki led a high-profile delegation to the region in what appears to be a strategic plan to win their vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during a fundraiser for women groups at Zombe in Kitui East, and Mukuyuni in Kaiti Constituency, Makueni County, Kindiki accused opposition leaders of engaging in empty rhetoric instead of suggesting ways to make Kenyans' lives better. 

Kindiki accused his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, of teaming up with other politicians to incite Kenyans.

“We will protect peace and promote unity in our country at whatever cost. I challenge our friends in the other side to exercise restraint in the language they are deploying in their quest to endear themselves to Kenyans. Whatever we say, we must desist from making remarks that are likely to breed hostility among communities,” Prof Kindiki said.

A section of politicians from the region last year castigated Ruto over what they termed as neglect.

One of the key sticking points has been the lack of appointment of community members to Ruto's government, despite the Kamba community giving him about 250,000 votes during the presidential election, a generous vote basket according to political observers, given the fact that Ukambani is largely an opposition zone.

Former Machakos Town legislator, Victor Munyaka, who was Ruto's right-hand man for Machakos County in the run-up to the last general elections, has castigated the head of State for allegedly 'forgetting the Akamba community.'

"For the sake of those who stood with the president, he should rethink his relationship with Ukambani. Although my remarks may be interpreted as rebellion, I must tell the president the facts as they are. We need services and employment for our people," Dr Munyaka said.

And last week, President Ruto while meeting a section of leaders from the larger Ukambani at State House, Nairobi, said that his Kenya Kwanza government will not isolate the region in terms of development.

Ruto said he is still committed to ensuring that the Lower Eastern region of Kenya is not discriminated against in national development.

In the meeting held on Wednesday, President Ruto stated that the region deserves its fair share of national resources, just like the rest of the country.

"I will not allow Ukambani to be left behind.  We shall move together as one nation,” said Ruto.

Ruto met over 1,500 professionals and grassroots leaders from the three Lower Eastern counties of Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties to discuss development issues.

While drumming support for Ruto's ‘Kazi bila Break’ slogan, Amb Juma said the president is committed to serving all Kenyans without discrimination.

“I urge you to embrace the last mile connectivity, universal health coverage through SHA among other projects,” she said.

Her sentiments were emphasised by Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation CEO Dr Rose Mkalama, who said that, besides the corporation installing high mast lights, it had set aside Sh100 million to implement similar projects in Mwingi Central constituency.