As political activities begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, one of the names increasingly finding its way into discussions within Uasin Gishu County is Willy Kiptarbei Kenei.
A businessman, corporate leader, and champion of private sector growth, Kenei believes his experience in business management, governance, and investment promotion makes him best suited to steer the county’s next phase of development.
With a career spanning healthcare, entrepreneurship, board leadership, and trade advocacy, Kenei presents himself as a leader focused on economic transformation, job creation, efficient service delivery, and accountability in public resource management.
Willy Kenei’s Early Life and Education
Willy Kiptarbei Kenei attended Kitale Boys Secondary School between 1993 and 1996 before joining Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where he studied Biochemistry from 1998 to 2002 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.
His academic background in science later informed his entry into the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, where he built significant experience before venturing into business.
Professional Journey
Kenei’s professional career began in the pharmaceutical industry, where he worked with some of the world’s leading healthcare companies.
His career path includes working as a Medical Sales Representative for Torrent (Medox) Pharmaceuticals (2005–2006), Medical Representative, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Limited (2006–2007) and Senior Medical Representative and Territory Manager, Sanofi Aventis Pharma (2007–2011).
These roles exposed him to Kenya’s healthcare sector, giving him firsthand experience in pharmaceutical supply chains, hospital operations, and healthcare management challenges.
In 2007, he founded Eldobase Chemists Limited, a business that has since grown into a significant employer in Uasin Gishu County. He resigned in 2011 from Sanofi Aventis Pharma to fully run the business.
According to Kenei, the company currently provides direct employment to about 50 people, while his other business ventures employ more than 20 additional workers.
A look at Willy Kenei’s leadership in business and trade
Beyond entrepreneurship, Kenei has established himself as a prominent voice in business advocacy. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Uasin Gishu County chapter, a position he has held since 2019 after serving as Vice Chairman from 2016 to 2019. Through the Chamber, Kenei says he has played a role in facilitating employment opportunities for more than 500 people through business networking, investment linkages, and enterprise development initiatives.
His leadership portfolio also includes serving as a Board Director at the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA), where he chairs the Strategy and Business Development Committee. In that role, he has been involved in promoting industrial growth, investment attraction, and export-oriented manufacturing.
Championing Skills Development
Kenei currently serves as Chairman of Ziwa Technical Training Institute (TTI), where he advocates for stronger collaboration between technical colleges and industry.
He believes technical education is critical in addressing youth unemployment and has championed efforts aimed at connecting TVET graduates with available opportunities in the labour market.
His focus is on ensuring that skills training aligns with industry needs, making graduates more employable both locally and internationally.
What role did Willy Kenei play in Eldoret city’s elevation?
One of the notable public assignments associated with Kenei was his role as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Eldoret Municipality City Status Conferment between 2022 and 2023. The committee spearheaded the process that culminated in Eldoret’s elevation to city status, making it Kenya’s fifth city.
Kenei believes the city status presents immense economic opportunities but argues that many of the recommendations made during the conferment process are yet to be fully implemented.
Why Willy Kenei wants to be governor
Kenei describes himself as a leader coming from the private sector, bringing what he terms “a different set of skills” to county leadership. According to him, the governorship should be approached as a chief executive officer’s role rather than a purely political office.
“I am an entrepreneur and a manager. This position needs a CEO. We need somebody who can manage resources, attract investment, create jobs and drive development,” he says.
He argues that his background in business management, corporate governance, resource mobilisation, and investment attraction uniquely positions him to lead Uasin Gishu County.
Willy Kenei’s vision for Uasin Gishu
At the core of Kenei’s vision is economic transformation through investment and industrialisation. He proposes establishing a County Industrial Park by setting aside land that can be used to attract investors.
According to him, providing land significantly lowers barriers for investors because they only need to install equipment and begin operations.
He believes this would:
- Create thousands of jobs for young people.
- Support growth of logistics and transport businesses.
- Strengthen local supply chains.
- Expand the county’s revenue base.
- Stimulate growth of supporting industries.
Kenei says he has built extensive networks in the investment community and would use these connections to attract industries to Uasin Gishu.
Revamping Healthcare
Having spent nearly two decades in the healthcare sector, Kenei identifies healthcare as one of his top priorities.
He argues that many dispensaries and health centres across the county are poorly equipped, lack essential medicines, and suffer from low staff morale.
According to him, healthcare should not be viewed merely as infrastructure.
“A hospital is not just a building. It is about doctors, laboratories, medicine, equipment and efficient service delivery,” he says.
His healthcare agenda includes ensuring consistent supply of medicines, improving working conditions for health workers, revitalising dispensaries and health centres, strengthening emergency services and ambulance operations, reducing pressure on Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as well as establishing mental and rehabilitation centres in every sub-county to address alcoholism and substance abuse.
Transforming Eldoret City
Kenei wants to build on Eldoret’s city status by improving urban management and service delivery.
His priorities include:
- Modern waste management systems.
- Improved drainage networks.
- Cleaner streets and public spaces.
- Enhanced security lighting.
- Better policing and public safety.
- Improved traffic management.
- Easier movement for motorists, pedestrians and boda boda operators.
He says these measures would support a vibrant 24-hour economy and improve the overall attractiveness of Eldoret as a regional investment destination.
How Willy Kenei plans to improve Uasin Gishu’s business environment
Coming from his entrepreneurship background, Kenei has a vision of improving the county’s business environment as well as the ease of doing business.
His plan includes harmonising the licensing, ensuring mama mbogas and SMEs are treated in a humane manner by the county enforcement team, as well as addressing the perennial drainage system mess in the city centre and waste management.
“Under my leadership, pending bills will be paid promptly for all suppliers,” Kenei told Uasin Gishu News in an exclusive interview.
Agriculture and Value Addition
Agriculture remains the backbone of Uasin Gishu’s economy, and Kenei argues that the county must shift from raw production to value addition.
He proposes:
- Expanding agricultural extension services.
- Promoting horticultural farming.
- Supporting dairy farmers.
- Increasing productivity among maize growers.
- Connecting farmers to international markets.
He is particularly keen on local processing.
“We produce milk and maize. Why can’t we process and package these products here in Uasin Gishu and sell them across the country and beyond?” he asks.
Kenei believes local value addition would increase farmer incomes while creating jobs in manufacturing and distribution.
Youth Employment and Overseas Opportunities
Recognising the growing challenge of youth unemployment, Kenei proposes expanding skills training and labour export opportunities.
His plans include:
- Short-term vocational courses in trades such as plumbing and electrical installation.
- Partnerships with international employers.
- Revival of overseas training and employment programmes for young people.
While acknowledging that previous initiatives faced challenges, he insists the problems were largely due to financial management shortcomings that can be corrected.
Strengthening Early Childhood Education
Kenei also advocates for increased investment in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).
His plans include:
- Expanding ECDE centres.
- Improving learning environments.
- Motivating and supporting ECDE teachers.
- Strengthening foundational education across the county.
Willy Kenei: A Governance-Focused Leader
Over the years, Kenei has undertaken extensive leadership and governance training, including programmes in corporate governance, public finance, ethics, compliance, audit systems, board leadership, and strategic management.
His training includes courses offered by:
- Institute of Certified Governance (ICG)
- Centre for Corporate Governance (CCG)
- Public Service Commission (PSC)
- State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC)
- Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB)
- Institute of Public Finance (IPF)
- Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE-USA)
These qualifications have reinforced his reputation as a governance-oriented leader with a strong background in institutional management.
Revenue Collection and Accountability
Kenei believes Uasin Gishu County is not maximising its own-source revenue potential.
He argues that while current collections are estimated at around KSh1.2 billion annually, the county has the capacity to generate between KSh2.5 billion and KSh3 billion through improved systems, efficiency, and accountability.
According to him, increased revenue would translate into better infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic development.
Willy Kenei’s community work
- Chairman, Save a Life Initiative, which mobilised food worth Ksh 15m, which was distributed in Turkana County in the year 2023/24
- Paid School fees for 50 students for Sosiani Secondary School in 2024.
- Chairman of Uasin Gishu Eminent Persons on Peace 2022
- Observer, 2022 General Election: Working for the International Republican Institute (IRI)
- Facilitated more than 120 youths to further their Studies/Work in overseas countries.
- Participated in building many churches.Served in many School Boards.
- Mentored many people to start businesses.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As the race for the Uasin Gishu governorship gradually takes shape, Willy Kenei is positioning himself as a private sector candidate focused on management, investment, and service delivery.
His campaign message centres on the belief that county governments require competent managers capable of mobilising resources, attracting investors, creating jobs, and delivering efficient public services.
With a background spanning healthcare, entrepreneurship, trade advocacy, corporate governance, and skills development, Kenei hopes to persuade voters that his leadership experience offers the “different set of skills” needed to drive the next chapter of Uasin Gishu’s growth. His campaign slogan captures that ambition succinctly: “Willy Kenei, Dawa ya Uasin Gishu.”
