Baringo set for multi-billion-shilling projects after Gideon Moi deal

Mr Moi, who had expressed interest in the Baringo senatorial by-election, reportedly withdrew in exchange for a government-backed development package for the county.

Speaking during a tour of the county on Tuesday, Dr Ruto said his administration would prioritise the completion of major road, housing, and market projects that had stalled for years. He said the partnership with Mr Moi marked “a new phase of cooperation” between leaders in the region.

“We have agreed to work together for the good of Baringo and to ensure that long-delayed projects finally take off,” the President said.

Dr Ruto used the visit to drum up support for United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Vincent Chemitei in the upcoming senatorial by-election set for November 27. He urged residents to vote for the party’s nominee, saying the decision to have Mr Moi step aside was aimed at fostering unity and fast-tracking development.

“I asked Mr Moi to step down so that we can unite for a common cause, and he agreed. We have entered into a pact and have good plans for him,” he said.

Abandoned midway

As part of the agreement, the President commissioned work on the stalled Sh2.8 billion Marigat–Mochongoi road, whose construction began in 2018 but was abandoned midway. He said a new contractor had been appointed after the initial one “slept on the job.”

“I want to keep my promise to complete stalled projects and initiate new ones. Among them is the 40-kilometre Karandi–Mochongoi–Marigat road, which stopped in the Arabal area,” he said, adding that the government would also improve the town’s road network, water supply, and electricity connectivity.

Dr Ruto announced plans to build a modern market in Marigat at a cost of over Sh200 million, with procurement expected to start within a month and construction to be completed in six months.

He also revealed that preparations were underway to establish the first public university in Kabarnet, with pioneer students already hosted at the former Moi Teachers College in Seretunin.

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“I will personally lay the foundation stone for the construction of the university in Kabarnet,” he said.

Other projects listed include completion of the Tenges–Kapkayo, Kamukunji–Kisanana–Mugurin–Lake Bogoria and Kipsaraman–Kinyach roads, as well as the Kasoiyo–Riwo–Seretunin–Talai–Kipcherere–Kampi Samaki road.

During the tour, the President inspected the Marigat–Mochongoi road and launched a 380-unit affordable housing project. He also appealed to residents in banditry-prone areas of the North Rift to surrender illegal firearms.

“Those holding unlicensed guns used for criminal activities should surrender them immediately. If you are adamant, we will come for you, and the consequences will be dire,” he warned.

Dr Ruto said persistent insecurity, including cattle rustling and banditry, had hindered development for decades. He vowed to end what he termed “retrogressive practices” that had claimed lives and displaced families.

“Stock theft has led to killings, widowed women, and orphaned children. We will not allow this to continue,” he said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who accompanied the President, said security operations in the Kerio Valley had restored calm, with more than 600 illegal firearms surrendered—170 of them from Baringo County.

“We will ensure all illegal guns are seized so that locals can live in peace. There will be no negotiation or public participation on this matter. The operation will be intelligence-led,” Mr Murkomen said.

The President also highlighted recent government achievements in education, noting that more than 100,000 teachers had been hired over the past three years, the largest recruitment in the country’s history, to ensure every child accesses basic education.

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