By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, January 22, 2026 - President William Ruto has renewed his commitment to transform Meru into Kenya’s next city, unveiling a package of major infrastructure and healthcare investments aimed at reshaping the county into a modern urban centre.
Addressing residents at Kinoru Stadium on Thursday during the NYOTA Business Start-Up Capital disbursement event, the President said the government had already set aside funds to support Meru’s elevation to city status and improve service delivery.
At the centre of the plan is a Sh3 billion bypass designed to ease chronic traffic congestion in Meru town. Ruto said the project would move to the construction phase once contractors resolve a few outstanding issues.
“We have agreed that the next city of the Republic of Kenya will be Meru,” the President said. “We will build a hospital, decongest the town with a bypass, and complete key projects that will change the face of this region.”
Ruto also announced that construction of the Nithi Bridge, a Sh7 billion project linking Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties, will begin in February 2026. The bridge is expected to improve regional connectivity and significantly reduce fatal accidents along the busy corridor.
In healthcare, the President pledged to upgrade Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital to a Level VI facility, a move that would allow the hospital to offer more specialised services and serve a wider regional population.
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“We want residents to access quality, affordable and specialised medical care here at home,” he said.
The city status pledge is not new. On October 5, 2025, Ruto announced plans to elevate Meru and directed that a State Lodge be constructed in the region to support government operations. He later said the lodge would also serve as a hub for discussions on development issues affecting Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Isiolo and neighbouring counties.
If the process is completed, Meru will become Kenya’s sixth city after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret, which was recently granted city status.
Under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011, the conferment of city status requires the fulfilment of set criteria, public participation and approval at several levels of government.
