President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched several road projects, giving the road network in Kericho and Bomet counties over Sh9 billion revamp.
The President, who was accompanied by his deputy William Ruto, kicked off the road projects at Kipchimchim in Kericho County by launching the upgrading of the Premier – Kabianga –Taplotin – Ainamoi – Thesali – Choborge – Kiburgat road and the Kericho by-pass. The two key roads in the tea-growing region will be constructed at a cost of Sh5.06 billion.
Thereafter, Uhuru proceeded to Maili Nne trading centre where he launched the tarmacking of Brooke Bond – Maili nne – Kipkelion – Londiani and the Maili nne – Chepseon roads that will be upgraded at a cost of Sh1.55 billion.
Addressing thousands of jubilant wananchi after launching the road projects, President Kenyatta outlined the Jubilee Government’s commitment to implementing infrastructure projects across the country to open up the rural areas for rapid economic growth.
“In Kericho county, we are constructing close to 200 kilometres of road because our focus is to put in place the infrastructure so that agricultural products do not go to waste because of bad roads. We also want to ensure that farmers get their produce to the market on time and at low transport costs,” President Kenyatta said.
He said the roads being constructed are also intended to act as an incentive that will encourage value addition of agricultural produce and attract investors who will establish businesses that will create jobs for the youth in the rural areas.
The Head of State said Jubilee has a marshal plan to transform the country and improve the lives of Kenyans, saying that is why its focus has always been on implementing mega agriculture, education, health and electricity projects.
President Kenyatta said the opposition have gone into a panic mode because they have seen that Jubilee has gained overwhelming support across the country because of its focus on development and improving the lives of Kenyans.
“We are able to implement all these projects because we are focused and working as a team. But the same cannot be said of our opponents whose main pre-occupation is who will hold which position,” Uhuru said.
He added: “For example since we came to office, we have connected over five million households to electricity compared to only two million that had been connected to electricity since independence.”
DP Ruto said he was happy that the Jubilee Government was delivering to the people of Kericho roads that they had waited to be tarmacked for over 40 years.
“These are developments that will improve the lives of the people of Kenya because we are implementing these projects across the country without discrimination or favour,” the Deputy President said.
From Maili nne, President Kenyatta and his deputy drove to Chepseon and Ng’oino where they addressed residents before they reached Choborge to launch the tarmacking of the Choborge – Kibugat and Cheplanget – Kapkatet roads.
From Kericho County, President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto crossed over to the neighbouring Bomet County where they flagged off the tarmacking of the Tengecha –Koiwa –Kaptebeng’wet and Koiwa –Cheptalal –Sotik –Kaptebeng’wet –Chebangang –Kimulot –Changoi roads. The roads will be upgraded at a cost of Ksh 2.26 billion.
Speaking at the launch of the two roads at Koiwa, President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto took issue with some leaders from Bomet county who were trying to block construction of the important road that would benefit residents.
President Kenyatta and his deputy also censured some opposition leaders for talking against Itare dam and other water projects that are set to alleviate the water problems in the counties of Kericho, Bomet and Nakuru.
Tomorrow, President Kenyatta will spend the day in Bomet county where he will launch more projects.
Present were Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen, National Assembly majority leader Aden Dual, Kericho woman rep Hellen Chepkwony, Kipkelion East MP Joseph Limo and Jackson Rop among a host of other leaders from Kericho and Bomet counties.
--PSCU