President William Ruto on Sunday, January 4, 2025, attended an interdenominational thanksgiving service at AIC Chesombur in Lomut Ward, West Pokot County, in what he described as a historic moment for the Kerio Belt after more than 30 years of insecurity.
The President said the service marked the first time leaders and residents of the region were coming together to celebrate tangible progress in peace and unity across the Kerio Valley.
“Today we are here to give thanks because we have evidence that peace is taking root in this region,” President Ruto said, thanking the clergy, elders, security agencies and political leaders for their role in restoring calm. He assured them of his full support as they continue to safeguard peace.
What was Ruto’s promise on the Kerio Valley insecurity?
President Ruto gave an undertaking that by the end of the year, the Kerio Valley areas still experiencing sporadic insecurity would be fully stabilised.
He also called on individuals in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them to the relevant authorities, noting that development cannot take place without lasting peace.
In addition, the Head of State said his government would pursue affirmative development programmes for the Kerio Belt, a region he said had lagged for decades due to insecurity.
He listed key priorities as infrastructure, clean energy, food security, education and peaceful coexistence.
Major infrastructure projects the government is implementing in Kerio Valley
On roads, the President announced that a new contractor has been identified to complete the Tot–Chesegon–Kepase–Marich Pass road, a project expected to boost trade, agriculture and livestock farming while opening up the Kerio Belt.
He also announced plans to construct the Leseru–Kitale road, with a long-term plan to extend it to Nadapal at a cost of over KSh 45 billion.
President Ruto further revealed that irrigation development will begin this year, with 50,000 acres set to be put under irrigation using water from the Turkwel Dam.
An additional KSh 700 million has been allocated for the completion of the Siyoi–Muruny water project.
He also announced that six new tarmac roads are in the pipeline in West Pokot, alongside KSh 10 billion set aside for affordable housing development in the county.
“We must work together to deliver these plans. As leaders, we must put the interests of our people first,” he said.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said attaining peace in the region has taken years of sustained effort, adding that the gains being witnessed today are encouraging.
He noted that development is accelerating across the country under President Ruto’s leadership and appealed to the President to support the establishment of a university in West Pokot.
