Franklin Bett. [Photo/citizentv.co.ke]
Former Minister for roads Franklin Bett has supported the members of the county assembly of Kericho who are opposed to the upgrading of Kerenga Airstrip in the outskirts of Kericho town by use of county funds.
Bett said though the idea of upgrading the airstrip was noble, the county government should prioritize delivery of water, drugs, and building roads.
The veteran politician at the same time asked the county government to provide a feasibility study report of the project so as to ascertain the scope of the works to be carried out using the Sh100 million amount.
He said many areas especially the marginalized ones were facing an acute shortage of water and the road network was pathetic and asked the area governor Paul Chepkwony to shelve the idea and concentrate on the provision of basic needs first.
Bett at the same time challenged the county leadership to lobby the national government to take up the responsibility of upgrading the airstrip since it was their responsibility.
He laughed off the execution of the project saying many of the people in the county were still financially challenged and will not be in a position to use the airstrip.
Bett suggested that the county government could lobby for the construction of a Standard Gauge Railway(SGR) terminus to be constructed in Kapsorok area in Soin since it will be cheaper and affordable to most of the residents compared to the airstrip.
On Monday, Members of Kericho County Assembly who were opposing the project engaged in a physical fight with the ones who are supporting disrupting the house business which was to debate on the supplementary budget in which the funds were included.