Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged residents of Meru County to give the government time to deliver development, saying progress cannot be rushed barely two years into his tenure.
Speaking on Saturday, March 21, 2026, during a public sensitisation forum at Mwichiune Trading Centre in South Imenti, Kindiki pushed back against criticism over the pace of projects, stressing that his time in office is still limited.
“Na watu wasiniharakishe. Mimi nimekuwa… hata sijamaliza miaka mbili kwa kiti. This is my second year. Wacha haraka,” he told residents.
He questioned why pressure was mounting on him so early, yet leaders who held power for years were not subjected to similar scrutiny.
“Si watu wakubwa wamekuwa wengi? Si watu walikuwa na crown wengi? Kwa miaka mingi? Mbona hawakupigiwa kelele, mimi mnanipigia kelele na siku mbili? Kila kitu ni kupanga,” he said.
Kindiki used the forum to outline a range of projects underway in Meru, insisting that careful planning is key to lasting results.
“Barabara tunajenga, stima tunaweka, masoko tunajenga. Hospitali, ndio hiyo tunajenga, Daraja ya Nithi, ndio hiyo. Sasa nataka kuwaambia ya kwamba, nchi ujengwa pole pole,” he said.
He also took a swipe at former leaders, accusing them of failing to push for development when they had the chance.
“Na watu walikuwa wakubwa wengi, Ata wengine wanapitia huku wakitukanana. Walikuwa na viti kubwa serikalini. Siku ile walikuwa na viti hii soko haikujengwa kwa sababu hawakututetea,” he added.
On security, Kindiki warned that the government is preparing a firm response to bandit attacks in parts of Meru, especially in Nyambene.
“These attacks against our people will end for good. When I was in charge of internal security, we crushed them in Baringo, Kerio Valley, North Eastern, and Lamu. We will crush them in Nyambene. Take my word on this,” he said.
He said specialised police units, backed by the Kenya Defence Forces, will carry out a large-scale operation targeting bandits in Meru North.
“We will deploy intense force against these criminals. They have dared us, now we will wipe them out. This cannot continue any longer,” Kindiki said.
He maintained that the government will not allow continued loss of lives and property.
“We cannot allow this to continue. The lives of our people are too precious to be taken away by bandits. Their livestock and properties… cannot just be taken away like that,” he said.
Kindiki also highlighted key development investments in the county, noting that road projects worth over Sh39 billion are ongoing, alongside Sh3.7 billion set aside to upgrade link roads within Meru town.
He said the Gakoromone Modern Market has received Sh1 billion funding and is set to rank among the largest in the country, while 17 other modern markets are at different stages of construction.
Electricity access is also being expanded, with Sh2.3 billion allocated to connect 26,000 households. The Nithi Bridge, linking Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties, will be built with Sh7 billion already committed, while the Makutano-Mwea-Chuka-Nkubu-Meru-Maua highway is set for expansion into a dual carriageway.
He concluded by asking residents to support the government’s efforts and avoid protests, saying development takes time.
“The country is built slowly, and we are delivering. Patience is key,” he said.