By Gerald Mukembu
The new Kariene Rangers Football Club Bus
President William Ruto has fulfilled his promise to Kariene Rangers Football Club by delivering a fully paid team bus, a move that has been widely praised as a show of commitment to grassroots sports development.
The handover ceremony took place at Kariene Primary School in Central Imenti, where National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula officially commissioned the bus and presented the keys to area MP Kirima Ngucine and club members.
Speaking at the event, MP Kirima expressed his gratitude to the President for honoring his pledge.
He added that the new bus would ease logistical challenges for the team and serve as a source of revenue.
“This bus was donated by President William Ruto after I appealed to him. He has promised us several other buses, including for Kariene Day School, Katheri, and Mukiria Technical. I am thankful because it is fully paid for,” Kirima said.
He urged the team to form a management committee to oversee funds generated when the bus is hired out.
“Kariene Rangers is a distinguished club. With this bus, they now join the ranks of clubs like Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. In the entire Meru region, no other football club owns a bus,” he added.
In politics, Kirima highlighted the growing frustrations among Kenyan youth, calling on President Ruto to initiate a transgenerational dialogue to address their grievances.
“It is time to focus on job creation. Parents work hard to educate their children, only to lose them to violence. It’s a painful loss and must be addressed,” he said.
Kirima condemned recent unrest in the Mt Kenya region, attributing it to unaddressed youth concerns.
“We have become a laughing stock. There were no protests in Nyanza or Rift Valley—only in Mt Kenya. Our youth have died, property destroyed. We must come together and urge the President to listen to the youth. Let’s ask ourselves what we did wrong for the rain to start beating us,” he said.
He urged young people to embrace diversity and become positive ambassadors for the nation instead of taking to the streets.
Kirima reiterated that Meru residents hold no grudge against the President, but expect delivery on the promises made during campaigns.
“Every leader must be known for development, not political theatrics. Some are even opposing NG-CDF, yet it remains one of the few funds with a direct impact on grassroots communities.”
He expressed confidence in his re-election in 2027, asserting that his development record would speak for itself.
“I don’t expect everyone to love me, but the work I’ve done will earn me votes,” he stated.
Kirima also criticized the Meru County government, accusing it of failing to implement tangible projects in his constituency.
