President William Ruto has rolled out a development blueprint for Baringo, complete with multibillion shillings development initiatives and iron-clad promises regarding issues of security, infrastructure development, educational reforms, and agricultural interventions.
The President’s speech was centered on energy connectivity, which has long been a challenge in this vast country with rough terrain. The President launched the 1.5 billion Kenya Shillings, 132kV Lessos – Kabarnet Transmission Line Project that will provide much-needed infrastructure to stabilize power and develop Baringo to grow industrially and commercially.
To reach more households, President Ruto added an extra 530 million to develop Baringo County’s electrification to a total of 1.3 billion.
Road infrastructure, another key area of concern for the locals, was also included. The President indicated that Baringo has been allocated KSh 3.4 billion for roads. Two roads which have been stagnant for many years, including Barpelo–Marich Pass Road and the Marigat–Mochongoi Road, have since received funding of KSh 400 million and KSh 600 million respectively to continue its reconstruction process.
Issues touching on providing housing and job creation were dominant during the President’s message. Ruto said that Baringo will receive funding amounting to KSh 12 billion for the Affordable Housing Program, which is part of the KSh 600 billion project set for the whole country. Ruto pointed out that the project has directly created job opportunities for 480,000 Kenyan employees.
In education and sports, the President made some announcements that were received with applause. These included the construction of a new campus for the Kabarnet University College, which would help in offering higher education to more students in Kenya. The announcement also included the construction of the stalled stadium in Kabarnet, which has taken years for the residents to wait for completion.
On security matters, Ruto took a hard line, stating that Baringo is now a peaceful region following operations conducted to address the vice of banditry. He appealed to people who might still have illegal firearms to surrender them voluntarily, failing which security organs would take decisive measures. Ruto further criticized the violence witnessed in Trans Mara, giving people in possession of illegal firearms an ultimatum.
Touching on healthcare reforms, the President indicated that 28.2 million Kenyan citizens have so far registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), with Baringo having registered 308,000. Additionally, Ruto indicated that 8 million Kenyan patients have so far sought treatment through this new process, which is rapidly stabilizing, he argued.
The President also elaborated the plans for national infrastructure, saying the government would build 178 roads in the country in the year 2026, with the help of more engineers and constructors. The President also told Kenyan citizens that the congestion on the Nanyuki-Nakuru highway would be a matter of memory when the dualing of Rironi-Nakuru-Mau Summit road begins, as it is set to be completed in May 2027.
Furthermore, he added that the feasibility studies are currently being conducted for the development of the Mau Summit–Kericho–Kisumu Road, Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba Road, and Kisumu–Malaba Road to be constructed in the early 2026
On agricultural issues, Ruto indicated that the government is ready for the forthcoming farming season in Kenya. Subsidized fertilizer has been purchased, and it will reach farmers in January. According to Ruto, 12 million bags of fertilizer have been distributed to Kenyan farmers through the subsidy program.
Educational reforms were also mentioned during the speech. The President reported the on-going process to streamline the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). He said that “we have constructed 23,000 new classrooms across the country, more teachers have been hired, and we are currently constructing 1,600 laboratories prioritizing the Ferdinand Nation Village and Rural Schools.”
Wrapping up his speech, President Ruto addressed the critics of his development agenda, dismissing them by saying that Kenya has to be transformed.
“The dream of a First World Kenya is not optional,” the president told off his critics while reaffirming his commitment to his promises.
For people in Baringo, this visit has reignited hope that projects long awaited are now set to happen and that the position of their county within the development history of Kenya will be back on the agenda.
