County Commissioner,
Honourable Senator,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Members of the County Assembly and Executive,
The Clergy,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We gather here today to mark Mashujaa Day, a national day where we honour all those who fought for our independence, as well as the countless individuals who have positively contributed to the growth and development of Kenya in the post-independence era.
This year’s Mashujaa Day holds even greater significance as we remember and honour one of Kenya’s greatest sons, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away last week on Wednesday.
He will be remembered as a visionary leader and a champion of democracy and justice. A human rights defender, a courageous advocate of constitutionalism, and above all, a true believer in devolution.
He relentlessly pushed for the empowerment of county governments through the equitable sharing of resources and responsibilities.
Let us rise and observe a minute of silence in honour of our fallen hero.
(A minute silence)
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we remember our independence heroes and heroines, we must also celebrate the everyday heroes among us—our teachers, nurses, doctors, farmers, youth, and countless others whose work, though often unsung, drives our county’s development agenda forward.
Your efforts are not in vain.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My administration is committed to deliver to the people of Elgeyo Marakwet and continues to put in place mechanisms that will improve the wellbeing of our people across all sectors.
To improve water provision of water which currently stands at 37 percent, my administration has initiated more than 200 water projects across the county.
The projects include construction of water tanks, drilling, and solarisarion of boreholes, construction of water tanks, and piping water across the 20 wards in the county.
Among the key initiatives include drilling and solarization of 26 boreholes, construction of 21 water tanks, and laying of new, rehabilitation and extension of more than 300 kilometers of water pipeline in about 100 projects.
With support from partners who include state and non-state actors partners, we have also developed several water projects across the county.
This includes Kimanich Water project in Kapsowar Ward, Emsoo and Chebagon Water project in Emsoo Ward construction of Yokot and Etio dams in Kamariny Ward, Liter Water project in Endo Ward and Moiben-Kuserwo water projects among others.
To address rainwater harvesting, we distributed over 500 water pan liners across the county. We shall continue distributing the dam liners to all farmers who are interested. This will sustainably support smallholder irrigation which will make farmers earn all year round.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In agriculture, we have scaled up production of high value crops in line with our wealth creation strategy.
In the recent harvesting season, our famers avocado farmers harvested more than 200 tonnes, which were sold through three cooperative societies namely Kapchelos (Kapsowar Ward), Bugar (Kapchemutwa), Kapsosio (Kamariny), and Kanes in Emsoo and Tambach Wards which earned them more than 10 million shillings.
Upon taking office, I advocated for the reintroduction of pyrethrum growing which has seen our farmers earn more than 60 million shillings this year from sale of about 250,000 kilograms of flowers, an increase from Sh36 million last year.
Farmers from our 14 growing Wards of Kamariny, Kapchemutwa, Moiben-Kuserwo, Chepkorio, Kaptarakwa ,Metkei, Kabiemit,Kapsowar,Lelan, Cherangany-Chebororwa, Sambirir, Embobut-Embolot, Kapyego and Sengwer have a testimony on this.
We also expect increased earnings from sale coffee this year following the enhanced growing of the crop by farmers.
I am also pleased to announce the operationalization of Elgeyo Marakwet Coffee Union which brings together all coffee farmers’ cooperative societies in the county.
The union, which now has more than 7000 members from Kormut, Sambirir, Kapchelos, Anin, Turesia, Cherangany-Chebororwa, Simit farmers’ cooperative societies will help protect farmers and jointly market our coffee by eliminating brokerage.
In response to the overwhelming demand for seedlings under our Wealth Creation Program, we are proud to announce the establishment of a mega nursery at Chebara Agricultural Training Centre. This flagship initiative will focus on the large-scale production of avocado, coffee, and tea seedlings, laying the foundation for a more prosperous and self-reliant community.
Our initial goal is the production of 6 million high-quality seedlings, positioning us as the largest producer in the region. This ambitious target underscores our commitment to providing practical, sustainable solutions to our economic challenges.
To expand the reach and impact of this program, we are also partnering with Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) to enhance mango seedling production at Tot, Arror, and Kimwarer nurseries.
We strongly encourage youth and women to actively participate in this transformative program, which offers significant opportunities for employment, agribusiness, and long-term income generation.
Together with our partners, we are building a future rooted in agriculture, empowerment, and inclusive growth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the roads sector, we have opened over 250 kilometers of new roads, including the Kapngot-Ketigoi Road in Keiyo South and the Kibendo-Kamaingon Road, which connects lower and upper Emsoo, Mungwa-Sambalat and Kamologon-Kalya roads in Marakwet East.
The government has also tendered several roads which include Matungen-Emis-Choroget-Simit, Kamwosor-Nyaru-Flourspar-Kapkayo, Kimwarer-Emsea-Junction-Murkutwo junction whose design work has been completeted, the ongoing Kilangata-Murkutwo road.
Others are Kimoning-Kapteren-Tambach Junction,Tairi Mbili-Kibargoiyet Road, Mororia-Chesitek-Kiptabus-Sach 4-Kapkess road among others, whose improvement will spur development in our county.
We are also going on with extensive road maintenance and grading across the county and maintaining five security roads in Kerio Valley.
In livestock sector, I have assented The Livestock Sale Yard Bill into law. This will ensure that our livestock farmers get value for their money. We are currently in the process of developing and finalizing the supporting regulations to operationalize it. This will see an annual sale of livestock at Kipcheptem, which is currently in its last phase of construction.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In Kerio Valley, we distributed 5500 kilograms of sorghum seeds with a total of 1300 acres planted under irrigation and rain fed agriculture.
A total of 550 tonnes of threshed sorghum was produced, and it has been off taken by both Crop Soko, and Labrima Companies to Kenya Breweries Kisumu earning our farmers close to Sh24 million.
Maize farmers from Chepkum Cooperative Society were also contracted to grow maize seeds by the Kenya Seed Company.
Out of this, 400 acres were utilized leading to a harvest of 200 metric tonnes, thereby earning the farmers Sh23 million.
With the current peaceful situation in Kerio Valley, more could be achieved in the area.
I urge all our people to maintain peace and support the national government in the current disarmament exercise. With peace, development will be realized in Kerio Valley.
We produce the best mangoes. We produce the best sorghum, and we produce the best watermelon and green grams. If we maintain peace, we will have the best prices for our produce.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the health sector, we have established Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) services in Kamwosor Sub-County Hospital, Kimnai Health Centre, Chesoi Health Centre and Iten County Referral Hospital.
These are portable ultrasound devices for immediate patient assessment and diagnosis to enhance physical examination of patients by providing real-time diagnosis.
To strengthen health management and information systems for improved service delivery and accountability, we have adopted several initiatives which include automation of our 125 health facilities. This will ensure that our health facilities seamlessly process Social Health Authority (SHA) claims.
We have also distributed 550 phones to health care workers that support in claiming SHA funds.
This has led to increased number of enrollments of our people into the SHA programme, which now stands at 60 percent, placing us at position three nationally.
Consequently, this has seen our health facilities successfully claims,Sh 141 million as at June 2025 since November 2024.This will ensure that our health facilities
In Trade, Cooperatives and Tourism, the department has successfully conducted a comprehensive mapping of all markets, including livestock auctions. This initiative identified active days and precise locations, forming a critical foundation for informed decision-making to improve market infrastructure and sustainability.
In collaboration with the National Government and with support from H.E. President William Ruto, construction of ultramodern markets is underway in Kapcherop, Chepkorio, Kapyego, and Iten. These facilities aim to offer clean, safe, and dignified trading environments for our people.
To bring to speed our businessmen and women on available opportunities, we have organized a major International Business Summit to be held between 8th and 9th of December this year in partnership with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme. The summit will focus on Trade, sports, culture, and agriculture.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In cooperative movement, the county now boasts 183 registered Cooperatives, including 28 newly registered societies this year alone. This reflects growing interest in cooperative-based business models that give power back to the people.
To reduce post-harvest losses, we will be constructing cereal stores in every ward. This will also ensure that farm input is brought closer to our people.
In tourism, my administration is exploring public private partnership opportunities to bring eco-lodges, camping facilities, and other investments into Rimoi National Reserve in a bid to boost local revenues, increase employment opportunities and improve tourist experiences.
It is through sustained reforms and digitization in our own source revenue collection has seen our revenue grow from Sh274 million in 2023/2024 Financial Year to Sh 372 million in April 2025, representing a growth of 35%. Automation of all revenue streams in the integrated Revenue Management System, enhanced compliance, operationalization of FIF Act, implementation of Revenue Mapping guidelines, adoption of accurate revenue forecasting models and widening of revenue base are some of the measures put in place to enhance efficiency in revenue administration.
We urge for voluntary compliance by our residents in payment of fees and charges including payment of Land Rates and Plot Rent which still have huge arrears. The county government has issued a 60 -day notice to all land and plot owners who have huge arrears in plot rent and land rates to clear them before instituting measures to recover the outstanding arrears.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In sports, we are currently preparing for our fourth edition of the Iten International Marathon. We are also preparing for the finals of our third edition of Gavana Wa Raia football tournament which started with 540 teams from sub locational level.
My administration is taking deliberate and intentional steps to revive athletics from the grassroots level to the international scene under a programme called ‘House of Coaches’.
In collaboration with the Mayor of Miramas, France, we have trained 12 elite coaches who will now serve as “Trainers of Trainees.”
This foundational group will culminate to our “House of Coaches” program which is set to train 975 teacher-coaches across the county, a program which is currently going on. The program aims to elevate athletics to the next level, starting with our youngest athletes.
Last month, I held a meeting with all secondary school principals from across the county at Marakwet Boys High School to chart a way forward on the program. Talented athletes from ward-level to county level will be identified through athletic championships. The best will be enrolled in a holiday training program designed to enhance their talents.
This will revert Elgeyo Marakwet to its original state as a Global giant on matters athletics.
In education, we have increased Early Childhood Development capitation from nine wards in 2023 to 18 this year. This is expected to increase pupil enrollment and retention, which now stands at 34,000, up from 29,000 three years ago.
To ensure that our pupils receive quality education, we have enhanced the salary of our teachers from Sh14,000, with the highest earning Sh26,000. We have also enrolled them into our comprehensive medical cover, and assigned them personal numbers which will ensure that they are put under a county unified payroll system.
The department has also constructed 28 new extra ECD classrooms.
The realization of available job market in the technical areas by our youth has seen enrollment in our vocational training colleges rise to 2800 from 2100.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A good public service acts as the driving force in service delivery. To ensure that this is achieved, a fortnight ago, I led our staff to sign the Financial Year 2025/26 Performance Contracts.
This will ensure clear objectives, enhanced service delivery, accountability and efficiency across all levels of the County Government are achieved.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Cheptongei and Chebiemit centers are currently undergoing a massive upgrade which include upgrading of roads to bitumen standards, construction of vending platforms and street light installation through support from the second phase of the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP). This is also ongoing at Kambi Debe and Mlimani centres.
Preparation of plans for nine other urban centres comprising Kapterit, Chesubet, Kipteber, Biretwo, Kaptarakwa, Kapkoi, Chepkurmum, Chepsirei and Chesoi are ongoing and will be completed soon.
With support from development partners, we prepared a Community Land inventory that is now complete and has been submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for Lands for subsequent gazettement.
I am happy to report that land tenure regularization includes planning, surveying, and titling for informal settlements in Tambach, Bugar, Kapsowar and Kapcherop have been approved, and we are now awaiting lease title deeds to be issued to the beneficiaries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we get into the long December Holidays, I urge you all to ensure the safety of our children. Let us always keep a close eye on them.
May I also take this opportunity to wish all our candidates success in their forthcoming examinations.
Asanteni sana.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
GOD BLESS ELGEYO MARAKWET.
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