Kipchebor Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Dr Erick Bett has urged the National and County governments to invest in key public institutions, including a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), a public university, a referral hospital and manufacturing industries in Kericho Town, saying the projects are essential for accelerating economic growth, creating jobs and improving service delivery.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum in Kericho Town, Dr Bett said the proposed investments would position the town as a regional hub for education, healthcare, commerce and industry while opening up new opportunities for residents and businesses.
He observed that despite being one of Kenya’s major urban centres, Kericho Town does not have a Kenya Medical Training College within the municipality, a situation he said has denied the area the economic and social benefits associated with institutions of higher learning.
According to the MCA, establishing a KMTC alongside a public university would attract thousands of students from across the country, boosting demand for rental housing, transport, retail trade and other support services.
He said the increased student population would stimulate local businesses, encourage private investment and create additional employment opportunities for residents.
“Kericho is one of the country’s major towns without a KMTC within the town. Establishing one alongside a public university will attract thousands of learners, encourage investment in housing, boost local businesses and create more opportunities for our people,” said Dr Bett.
The legislator also called for the establishment of a referral hospital, noting that the facility would improve access to specialised healthcare services, reduce pressure on existing hospitals and create employment opportunities for healthcare professionals.
He said a modern referral hospital would enable residents to access specialised treatment closer to home while reducing the need for patients to seek medical services in other Counties.
Dr Bett further appealed for greater investment in manufacturing industries, arguing that industrialisation would diversify Kericho’s economy, create jobs for young people, add value to agricultural produce and enhance household incomes.
He noted that the county’s strong agricultural base provides an ideal foundation for agro-processing industries that would increase the value of tea and other farm produce while expanding market opportunities for farmers.
“A referral hospital and manufacturing industries will complement the education sector by creating jobs, improving service delivery and positioning Kericho as a competitive commercial and investment hub in the region,” he added.
The MCA made the remarks while commending the establishment of the Ainamoi Boda Transport Co-operative Society Limited, describing it as a significant step towards improving the welfare and economic empowerment of boda boda operators.
He said the cooperative would enable members to strengthen their savings culture, access affordable credit, improve financial management and invest in income-generating ventures.
Dr Bett encouraged the cooperative’s leadership to emulate successful regional savings and credit cooperative societies such as Kenya Highlands SACCO, Ndege Chai SACCO and Imarisha SACCO by embracing sound governance, accountability and prudent financial management.
He also pledged his support for the cooperative by offering his ward office as a temporary venue for meetings and administrative activities as members work towards securing permanent office space.
The MCA said strong cooperative movements remain critical in promoting financial inclusion, supporting entrepreneurship and improving the livelihoods of informal sector workers.
He urged boda boda operators to remain united and utilise the cooperative to improve their economic well-being through collective savings, investment and access to affordable financial services.
Dr Bett concluded that sustained investment in education, healthcare, industrialisation and cooperative development would stimulate business growth, attract investors, generate employment opportunities and strengthen Kericho Town’s position as a leading economic centre in the South Rift region.
By Faith Chelang’at and Monica Irua
