President William Ruto has touted the upcoming Ksh50 billion Nairobi sewerage system as the most ambitious infrastructure project the country has embarked on since independence.
Speaking on Monday, March 10, 2025, when he commenced his five-day tour of Nairobi and commissioned the Dishi na County central kitchen at Zawadi Comprehensive School in Kamukunji, the Head of State underscored the significance of the project, terming it a long-overdue solution to the capital’s persistent sanitation challenges.
“This is a monumental project for Nairobi, one that has never been initiated since independence. We are investing close to Ksh50 billion to construct a 60-kilometre sewer system that will put an end to the challenges posed by wastewater.”
According to Ruto, the massive undertaking will see the construction of a 60-kilometre sewer line, a project he believes will decisively put an end to the long-standing woes of waste management in the city.
He lamented that for decades, Nairobi residents had been forced to endure the consequences of a poorly maintained sewerage network, with raw sewage spilling into homes, businesses, and roads, and assured the public that his administration had mapped out a comprehensive plan to address the crisis once and for all.
“The sewage that has been invading your homes, seeping into businesses, and ruining our roads has now been accounted for. We are ensuring that this problem is resolved for good.”
Beyond the infrastructural overhaul, the president announced that the project would create 30,000 job opportunities for young people, positioning them at the heart of the capital’s transformation. With enthusiasm, he rallied Nairobi’s youth to prepare themselves to be part of the historic initiative.
“We will employ 30,000 young people. Are you ready? Are you ready or not?” he asked the eager crowd. “We are organising everything, and you will be at the forefront of this transformation.”
Call for unity
Earlier in the day, when he commissioned the Kamukunji Technical and Vocational College, President William Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to fostering national unity, calling on Kenyans to abandon tribal divisions and work together for the country’s collective progress.
Then, the Head of State underscored the urgent need to eradicate ethnic animosity, stating that genuine development could only be achieved in a nation bound by unity and shared purpose.
He emphasised that his administration was deliberate in forging alliances beyond political and ethnic lines, as Kenya’s future depended on leaders working together to serve all citizens equally.
“I am here with all the leaders of Nairobi, and we have unanimously agreed to work together. With utmost respect, we have declared that we do not want hatred, tribalism, or division anymore. Our goal is to cooperate, remain united, and build a strong and prosperous nation that serves the interests of all Kenyans,” Ruto declared.
Raila unifying factor
President Ruto underscored the importance of unity by referencing his recent truce with opposition leader Raila Odinga, describing their decision to work together as a turning point for Kenya’s political landscape.
He noted that their handshake was not merely a symbolic gesture but a commitment to steering the country away from the divisive politics that had long hindered its progress. According to him, Kenya could no longer afford to be fractured along ethnic lines, as real development could only take root in an environment of peace and cooperation.
“We cannot build this country in factions; we must build it together. The days of hatred and division must be left behind. Kenya’s potential is immense, and only unity will unlock it. So I ask you, Will you join me in making this a reality?” Ruto rallied the crowd, drawing cheers from the gathered residents.
He challenged Kenyans to embrace this new spirit of collaboration, insisting that sustainable development could only be achieved if every citizen saw themselves as part of the nation’s progress rather than as rivals locked in an endless political contest.
“The journey to a stronger Kenya starts with unity. We must refuse to be divided by those who thrive on chaos. We must break the chains of tribalism and stand together as one people, one nation,” he declared.