Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant Willy Kenei has pledged to prioritise industrialisation, healthcare reforms, agriculture, overseas employment opportunities and a business-friendly environment if elected governor in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, during a burial in Kondoo Village, Tarakwa Ward, Kesses Constituency, Kenei said industrialisation would be the cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda, aimed at creating jobs for youth and increasing earnings for farmers through value addition.
The businessman, who sits on the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) Board, said Uasin Gishu has the potential to become a manufacturing hub by establishing an industrial park that would process agricultural products locally instead of exporting them in raw form.
“My first agenda is industrialisation. I sit at the EPZ Board, and we want to start an industrial park here in Uasin Gishu so that our children can get jobs and you get better prices for farm produce,” Kenei said.
He argued that farmers are currently missing out on higher returns because products such as milk are sold without value addition.
“If you sell milk here, it is about Ksh 40 per litre, but after value addition it can sell at a much higher price. Why can’t we do value addition here? That is the importance of industry,” he said.
Willy Kenei’s plan for Uasin Gishu healthcare reforms
Kenei also promised reforms in the county’s healthcare sector, citing his background in the pharmaceutical industry as an advantage in addressing challenges facing public health facilities.
He said his administration would focus on ensuring health facilities operate efficiently around the clock, maintain adequate drug supplies and provide a conducive working environment for healthcare workers.
“I have been in the pharmaceutical sector, and I will streamline healthcare, ensure 24-hour operations, availability of drugs and create a good working environment for doctors because you never know when disease will strike,” he said.
Additionally, the gubernatorial hopeful said agriculture would remain a central pillar of his development blueprint, given the county’s reputation as one of Kenya’s leading agricultural producers.
He further vowed to revive the county’s overseas jobs programme, which previously faced challenges, saying the initiative had positively transformed many families through remittances from beneficiaries working abroad.
“There is the overseas programme that had challenges. If you elect me, I will restart that programme. Those who went abroad are helping their parents today, and some have secured opportunities in countries such as Australia and Canada,” he said.
Boosting Eldoret business environment
Kenei also pledged to improve the investment climate in Eldoret City and other urban centres across the county, saying economic growth depends on creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
“I also want to ensure there is a good environment for doing business here in Eldoret and our townships,” he said.
His remarks come as political activity begins to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with potential candidates outlining their priorities and seeking support across the county.
