Ruto’s bag of goodies to Narok residents during tour

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President William Ruto was warmly received by leaders and residents during his two-day development tour of Narok county.

The visit started on Tuesday, a day after conclusion of a similar tour of Migori county.

The President was received by the local leaders, as they were eager to hear about the plans he had for the future development of Narok county.

In total, Ruto held 15 meetings across the county launching and commissioning development projects.

The projects range from construction of airport and commissioning of fresh produce markets, to road construction to issuing land title deeds.

He visited Narok East, Narok North, Kilgoris, Emurua Dikirr, Narok South and Narok constituencies during the course of the tour.

Ruto began his tour on Tuesday by launching the construction of Narok International Airport, which aims at bolstering tourism at the world-acclaimed Maasai Mara Game Reserve and business in the county.

The project, which will take approximately 15 months to complete, will see both the national and county governments commit half the Sh700 million each to finance construction.

The move will lead to the winding up of a private airstrip inside the reserve, which has encroached on game movement.

Ruto also commissioned the Ewaso Ng’iro Tannery and Leather Factory, which will strengthen the leather value chain via local processing.

The President said the government is adding value to local products to increase earnings for farmers and create jobs for young people.

Ruto also issued title deeds for 103,000 acres for the Maasai Mau Forest and the launch of the construction of a 100-kilometre fence along the forest.

He further announced the acquisition of 6000 acres for Narok residents from Kedong Ranch.

The President said the residents will be settled in the coming months and will be issued with titles.

Ruto also opened the Kenya Medical Training College in Narok town.

He said the transformative initiatives will result in the revival and stability of the country's economy.

Wednesday, which marked the second and final day of his Narok tour, the President flagged off the last mile connectivity and issued title deeds in Oloonkoliin, Emurua Dikirr.

He said the issuance of the title deeds will help to resolve long-standing land disputes and foster peaceful coexistence.

“Our goal is to ensure Kenyans live in harmony and focus their energies on making meaningful contributions to nation-building,” he said

The President also launched the Narok county Sh2.5 billion Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project, which will connect 15,000 households to power.

He announced an investment of over Sh2 billion to construct eight critical roads in Narok county to unlock the area’s vast potential as a key food basket for our nation.

Ruto further launched the upgrade to the bitumen standard of the 19-kilometre Shartuka–Njipiship–Olchobosei–Abosi–Gorgor road in Olchobosei.

In Sogoo, Narok South constituency, the President launched the tarmacking of the 28km Sogoo-Kimogoro-Melelo-Ololung’a road.

The President said the move will ease the delivery of farm produce such as cabbages, tomatoes and potatoes to markets.

It will also facilitate access to social amenities such as the Sogoo Health Centre and Sogoo Primary School.

The President also laid the foundation stone for the Amalo Subcounty Level IV hospital in Sogoo, Narok West Constituency.

The facility will elevate the Sogoo Health Centre, which has been serving 2,500 people a month.

Ruto said the expanded hospital will ease the burden of the people who have been travelling the long distance to Ololung'a, Narok and Bomet.

They will access services such as radiology, theatre, and specialised clinics.

President Ruto also launched the construction of the Ngoswani-Morijo road that will boost tourism in Narok county.

He wrapped up the two-day development tour of Narok county with the launch of the Sekenani Bead Production Centre.

The President thanked the residents and local leaders for welcoming him with a warm welcome as he traversed the county.

He used the opportunity to call for unity, urging Kenyans to refuse to fall into the trap of ethnic and divisive politics that not only blurs our vision, but also threatens our country’s transformation.

"It is our collective responsibility to work together to build a more inclusive and prosperous Kenya," he said.