Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki, on Monday met political leaders from Meru County at State House, Nairobi. The two leaders engaged Meru leadership on strengthening the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) at the grassroots and accelerating key development projects in the county.
The meeting brought together Governor Isaac Mutuma, 11 Members of Parliament, and 67 of the county’s 69 Members of County Assembly. The President said that the discussions focused on plans to conduct participatory and Democratic Party elections beginning at the polling centre level.
President William Ruto with his Deputy Kithure Kindiki at State House Nairobi on February 3, 2026./PCSPresident Ruto said the engagement was aimed at consolidating UDA’s structures at the grassroots while ensuring that party processes remain inclusive and transparent.He noted that strong local party organs were critical to effective political organisation and service delivery.
Beyond politics, the leaders reviewed progress on the government’s transformation agenda in Meru County and explored ways to fast-track priority programmes designed to spur economic growth and improve livelihoods.
Among the key projects already underway is the Sh1 billion upgrading of Meru County Hospital into a national referral facility. President William Ruto with Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, at State House Nairobi, on February 3, 2026./PCS
The government is also implementing electricity connections for 30,000 households, constructing 17 modern markets, rolling out affordable housing projects and improving key road networks across the county.
President Ruto said additional major infrastructure works are set to begin soon, including the construction of the Nithi Bridge and a 17-kilometre Meru Town Bypass.
The two projects are expected to cost about Sh3 billion and are aimed at easing transport, boosting trade, and supporting regional connectivity.
Ruto said the meeting underscored the administration’s focus on aligning political organisation with development priorities as it seeks to deliver tangible benefits at the county level.
On Monday, Kindiki said that the UDA party had so far attracted 9,165 aspirants seeking the party’s nomination to contest various elective positions in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
He said 139 aspirants have expressed interest in contesting the 47 gubernatorial seats, while 240 aspirants are seeking tickets for the 47 elected Senate positions.
According to him, 274 aspirants are competing for the 47 Women’s Representative seats, as 1,205 hopefuls pursue nominations for the 290 National Assembly constituencies. The largest number of aspirants, 7,307, are targeting the 1,450 elected ward representative (MCA) positions across the country.
The Deputy President noted that the registration of aspirants remains open and will continue until the statutory deadline of 90 days before the election date, as provided for in law.
