The Kenya Kwanza government is set to roll out extensive development projects and revive several stalled initiatives in the Mt Kenya region.

President William Ruto is reportedly planning to commission multibillion-shilling projects and breathe new life into abandoned "white elephant" ventures that have contributed to growing restlessness and rebellion in the region.

The President is expected to begin his tour next week amid increasing discontent following the removal of his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

Ahead of the visit, Ruto has held at least three meetings with elected and appointed leaders from the region to organize his itinerary and address concerns over stalled projects.

The first meeting took place on March 21, where Ruto stated on X that discussions focused on revamping the agricultural sector—including coffee, tea, and dairy farming—alongside infrastructure development, affordable housing, and fresh produce markets.

On March 23, the President met with five Cabinet Secretaries and 13 Principal Secretaries from Mt Kenya, just days after hosting Members of Parliament and Senators from the region at State House.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has been engaging with elected officials and opinion leaders from Mt Kenya to prepare the ground for Ruto’s extensive tour.

With the tour shaping up to be politically charged, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who has been critical of the Kenya Kwanza administration, had earlier announced that he wouldn't be able to accompany the President.

Mt Kenya played a crucial role in Ruto’s 2022 presidential victory, delivering over 3.5 million votes that helped him defeat his main rival, Raila Odinga.

Dennis Itumbi, the Head of Special Projects and Creative Economy at the Presidency, has hinted at what Ruto’s tour will entail.

In a post on X, he suggested that the President could launch large-scale road projects across the country, including in Mt Kenya, in the coming months.

"Construction of roads. The money, the plan, and the massive return of contractors—once again,” Itumbi stated.

Previously, Ruto acknowledged that numerous road projects had stalled due to a lack of resources.

During his tour, the President is expected to showcase some of the multimillion-shilling projects slated for revival in Mt Kenya and clarify the funding sources to ensure their completion.

Some critics from the region have stated they have no objection to Ruto’s visit, provided he guarantees the completion of stalled projects.

The visit also comes in the wake of a political shake-up, where allies of former Deputy President Gachagua were purged from key parliamentary leadership positions in both the National Assembly and the Senate.

In the Senate, Gachagua’s supporters were removed from influential committees, including Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Kirinyaga Senator James Murango, and Kajiado Senator Kanar Seki.

In the National Assembly, some of Gachagua’s allies were demoted to the Services and Facilities Committee, which primarily handles catering services for legislators.

These include Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba (formerly chair of the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee), Roysambu MP Mwafrika Augustine Kamande (who notably skipped Ruto’s Sunday service in his constituency), Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara (formerly in the Lands Committee), and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya.

Others who lost influential positions include Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, who was removed as chairperson of the Trade Committee and reassigned as a member; Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, Juja MP George Koimburi, and Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo, all of whom were moved to the Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library Committee.