Deputy
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has linked improved security in Laikipia West to renewed development, saying the government is stepping up investment in roads, schools and other infrastructure after years of insecurity.
Kindiki said that the government has prioritised restoring peace in the area, where banditry and criminal activities have disrupted livelihoods and stalled development.
“We celebrate the peace here in Ol Moran. When we took over, this place was inhabitable because of banditry and criminal activities, but we thank the President for the unwavering commitment to restore peace here. This place is now enjoying peace and stability,” he said.
Speaking on Monday during an inspection of development projects in Laikipia West, the DP expressed satisfaction with the security gains in the region when he served as Interior Cabinet Secretary between 2022 and 2024.
He said that residents can now resume their daily activities with less fear of attacks following government interventions to address insecurity.
“I feel proud that our brothers and sisters in Laikipia West are now going on with their lives peacefully and can sleep at night without fear of being attacked,” he added.
However, attacks in other parts of the county have highlighted the continuing security challenges facing residents.
In January, armed raiders stole more than 1,400 livestock from Naibung’a, Salamba and Sek villages in Laikipia North, leaving two people with gunshot wounds. The attacks forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes, with women and children seeking refuge in a nearby school.
In November last year, two siblings aged seven and 17 were shot dead while grazing livestock in the Naibor area, prompting the deployment of additional security personnel amid fears of further attacks.
The incidents occurred despite ongoing government operations targeting armed criminals and livestock theft.
Kindiki said that the government is now focusing on accelerating development in areas that had lagged behind because of insecurity.
During Monday’s visit, he inspected the construction of the Sipili–Ol Moran Road and commissioned Ol Moran police station and division headquarters. He also addressed residents at Ol Moran shopping centre, assuring them that ongoing projects would be completed on schedule.
The road is among 577 kilometres of road projects at various stages of completion across Laikipia county, with a combined cost of Sh28 billion.
Kindiki said that the government planned to increase the allocation to Sh60 billion to construct 1,000km of new roads, noting that insecurity had slowed infrastructure development in the region.
“We have prioritised construction of the roads at Sh28 billion, but we will raise it to Sh60 billion because we target 1,000km of new roads. This area was left behind for long because of insecurity.”
Major projects include the Rumuruti–Nanyuki and Nanyuki–Doldol–Naibor roads, which are under construction. The DP urged contractors handling the projects to speed up construction and avoid delays.
The government has also invested in education, with schools being constructed in areas previously affected by banditry.
“Last year, when the President was here in Laikipia, we had constructed 10 schools through the Kenya Defence Forces. He directed additional 10 schools, which have been completed. Another 10 schools are in the pipeline,” Kindiki said.
The government has allocated Sh470 million to the Last-Mile Connectivity programme in Laikipia, with plans to increase the funding to Sh1 billion to connect an additional 10,000 households.
Fifteen modern markets are nearing completion across the county, six of them in Laikipia West.
Kindiki pledged to visit the area regularly to monitor ongoing projects and ensure that planned developments begin without delays.
“The same way I came here several times when I was Interior Cabinet Secretary to ensure restoration of peace, I will be frequenting this area to ensure completion of the ongoing projects,” he said.
Laikipia Woman Representative Jane Kagiri thanked the government for its security interventions, noting that residents in Ol Moran and other parts of the county are increasingly able to farm, conduct business and go about their daily activities without fear.
Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru and other local leaders also attended the event.
