AIC Bishop Abraham Mulwa has called on Ukambani leaders and residents to welcome President William Ruto with respect and support as he prepares to begin a high-profile development tour of the region ahead of this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Speaking during the installation of Bishop Benjamin Kalanzo at AIC Bomani in Machakos Township, Bishop Mulwa warned against political resistance to the president’s visit, saying such opposition could alienate the region from national development opportunities. “Leadership is about bringing people together. Fighting national leadership doesn’t help the community,” said Bishop Mulwa, urging leaders not to politicize the visit.
In a sermon delivered partly in Kamba, the bishop expressed concern that the community had grown too comfortable with opposition politics and needed to start embracing opportunities for growth and inclusion. Without naming names, Bishop Mulwa warned that those seeking to frustrate the visit for political gain risk losing favor with the electorate in future.
President William Ruto’s development tour is expected to cover Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni counties, with a focus on launching key projects in infrastructure, agriculture, health, and water access. The tour is also part of preparations for the 2025 Mashujaa Day celebrations, which will be hosted at the newly-commissioned Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui.
The stadium, currently under construction, is a major investment by the national government, with taxpayers footing a Ksh 700 million bill. It will host this year’s national Mashujaa Day ceremony, scheduled for October 20. Sources close to the project indicate that the stadium is about 15% complete and is expected to be handed over by October 6, just days before the national celebration. Once complete, the 10,000-seater facility will be used for sports, cultural events, and future public ceremonies, offering long-term economic and social benefits to the Kitui community. Construction has already created hundreds of job opportunities for locals, while infrastructure upgrades around the area are expected to improve access and boost economic activity for small businesses.
The President was accompanied to the AIC Bomani event by key Ukambani leaders, among them Machakos Governor Hon. Wavinya Ndeti, Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua, Labour Principal Secretary Terry Mbaika, Machakos Town MP Caleb Mule, and Mwala MP Eng. Vincent Musyoka (Kawaya). Their presence underscored the administration’s growing efforts to strengthen ties with the Lower Eastern region as it eyes increased political support ahead of the 2027 general election.
Bishop Mulwa’s remarks come at a time of heightened political activity in Ukambani, with sharp divisions between leaders allied to the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and those aligned to the opposition. His message appeared aimed at fostering unity and reminding leaders that development should take precedence over political rivalry, especially when the community stands to benefit directly.
As Ruto’s tour begins, attention will now turn to delivery of the promised projects, the completion of the Ithookwe Stadium, and the broader question of whether this engagement will translate into long-term development and political alignment in Ukambani.
