Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda has defended both his leadership and President William Ruto's administration, citing major development projects in his constituency and what he described as key government achievements as proof that tangible progress has been made despite growing criticism.
Speaking during a Radio Generation interview on Thursday, the first-term legislator said his tenure has focused on improving healthcare, education, roads, water access and economic opportunities for residents, expressing confidence that the work completed and ongoing projects will earn him another term in the 2027 General Election.
Jhanda said one of the biggest investments underway is the construction of a Sh4.7 billion cancer centre, which he noted will not only serve residents of Nyaribari Chache but also patients from neighbouring counties.
"We are doing a Sh4.7 billion cancer centre in Nyaribari Chache. It will serve the people of Kisii County, Homa Bay, Migori, Bomet, Kericho and Nyamira. We also have a 50-kilometre tarmac road launched by the president, another 15-kilometre road set for advertisement, new markets in Kiong'o, Kiogoro and Birongo, and a Sh700 million water project already under construction."
The MP said the constituency is also witnessing the construction of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) campus, while bursary allocations have been increased to support more students, adding that the programme benefits learners regardless of their political affiliation.
Jhanda also came to the defence of President Ruto's administration, arguing that it has delivered more than it is often credited for. He pointed to the recruitment of 100,000 teachers, infrastructure projects, the Affordable Housing Programme, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and economic reforms as some of the government's notable achievements.
He maintained that many of the gains have gone unnoticed because the government has not done enough to communicate them to the public.
"The reality of the matter is that His Excellency President Ruto has actually done so much more than any other administration. In just four years, the president has managed to employ 100,000 teachers. Today, the US dollar is trading at around Sh128 to Sh129 compared to around Sh165 when we took over office. In 60 years, NSSF collected Sh312 billion, but under President Ruto, it has collected Sh697 billion in just three years. Kenya is under construction, markets are being built, roads are being built and so many things are happening."
He said the Affordable Housing Programme, improvements in health services and ongoing infrastructure projects were already making a difference across the country, adding that millions of Kenyans had enrolled under SHA.
"Look at the affordable housing sector. It is a game changer. Today, we have 30 million Kenyans registered under SHA. The health infrastructure is changing and the country is changing."
While defending the administration's record, Jhanda admitted that communication remains one of its weakest areas, saying many Kenyans have not been adequately informed about the work that has been done.
"Sadly, yes, maybe there has been a breakdown of communication on the good things this administration has done. I totally agree that the government can probably up its game in terms of communication to tell Kenyans exactly what it has done. It is also my duty as a leader to speak about the progress of this administration whenever I get the opportunity," he stated.
The legislator rated the government's overall performance at about 70 percent, saying it took office at a time when the country was facing heavy debt obligations, economic challenges and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jhanda also reflected on his political journey, saying his election to Parliament in 2022 came after nearly a decade of persistence.
He first contested the Nyaribari Chache parliamentary seat in the 2013 General Election on a United Republican Party (URP) ticket but lost. He made another attempt in 2017 under the Jubilee Party and was again defeated by then-incumbent Richard Tong'i.
Despite the setbacks, he remained active in the constituency through community engagement and development initiatives, gradually building support across the region.
Ahead of the 2022 General Election, Jhanda joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), secured the party ticket and defeated Tong'i to win the parliamentary seat, becoming one of the party's leading figures in the Gusii region.