A section of leaders from Baringo County have lauded the government for the numerous completed and ongoing flagship projects in the region.
Speaking at Kimalel grounds in Marigat Sub County during the Baringo Cultural Festival and Kimalel Goat Auction, presided over by President Dr. William Ruto, the leaders expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts, especially in the security, roads and energy sectors in the vast county.
The county governor, Benjamin Cheboi, said the Kenya Kwanza administration has performed extremely well in all the key sectors of the economy and that residents are now enjoying the fruits of this dispensation.
Cheboi noted that some of the far-flung areas across the county that were previously neglected are now benefiting from about Sh1 billion in the Equalization Fund through the many water, road, health and education projects being financed through the kitty.
He said the Equalization Fund has played a crucial role in the establishment of several schools in remote areas and enhancing accessibility of safe water at the household level.
“The President has been visiting our county to launch and commission several development projects and we don’t take it for granted,” the governor said.
Cheboi’s sentiments were echoed by Gender Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo, who encouraged the President to continue developing the region.
For instance, Cheptumo said her ministry was working round the clock to eradicate retrogressive cultural practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which she argued must first be dealt with for the area to develop speedily.
On his part, Baringo senator Vincent Chemitei, while thanking the government for the relative peace being witnessed in the county for close to a year, called for support of residents of Marigat and Baringo North sub-constituencies, who were displaced by perennial banditry, to get permanent residence.
Chemitei at the same time called for more administrative units in the county, especially in Arabal and Tenges in Marigat and Baringo Central sub-counties, respectively, in order to bring government services closer to the people.
Addressing the gathering, President Ruto, who had earlier commissioned the Sh1.5 billion Lessos-Kabarnet Transmission Line Project in Kabarnet town said his administration has secured enough funding for the establishment of Baringo County University, stadium, new security roads and markets in a bid to transform the area.
He said the new line constructed by KETRACO will stabilize the power supply in the county and provide enough energy to power industries in the quest for a first-world economy.
Other leaders who accompanied the president for the annual event, which saw over 8,000 goats sold to support local farmers included National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa, his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot, and Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago.
By Benson Kelio and Christopher Kiprop
