County Commissioner,
Honourable Senator,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Members of the County Assembly and Executive,
The Clergy,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, we gather to mark 61 years of our independence and reflect on our journey of progress and freedom. This is the final national celebration of the year, a time to look back at what we’ve achieved and prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
We are here at Kipsaos Boys Secondary School, an institution founded in 1974, just over a decade after independence. This is a testament to the community’s commitment to bringing education closer to the people, and it is something we should all be proud of.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our county has made significant strides in development. During my tenure in office, I have consistently worked towards fulfilling the promises I made to the people of Elgeyo Marakwet. While we still have a long way to go, I am confident that with your continued support, we can build a prosperous county where our people can meet their daily needs and ensure that our children receive an education that prepares them for a brighter future.
I continue to emphasize the importance of diversifying into high-value crops, which not only provide cash income but also improve our diet and create employment opportunities. I am pleased to see that many of our farmers have embraced crops such as coffee, pyrethrum, sorghum, mangoes, and avocados, as well as dairy and poultry production. These efforts are helping to unlock our county’s wealth potential, and I encourage every household to engage in cash crop farming or dairy production as a source of income.
My administration, in collaboration with state and non-state actors, has worked to address challenges in agriculture. We have provided seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural extension services while connecting farmers with buyers to ensure a complete value chain.
Through our Pesa Mfukoni program, we have rallied farmers from various parts of the county, including Chepkorio, Kabiemit, Kaptarakwa, Kamariny, Kapchemutwa, Moiben Kuserwo, Kapsowar, Lelan, Embobut-Embolot, and Metkei, to grow pyrethrum. This crop had been abandoned due to low prices, but with our partnership with Kentegra, we have revived it. Currently, our farmers are earning approximately four million shillings per month from the sale of 14 tonnes of flowers. This month alone, we distributed 8,000 sachets of seeds across pyrethrum-growing areas, enough to plant 2,000 acres. We anticipate that by June next year, production will rise to around 50 tonnes, generating nearly Sh13 million monthly for our farmers.
To boost potato production, which has faced challenges recently, we have partnered with Fresh Crop Company Limited to establish a 200-acre potato multiplication center in Chepkorio, where farmers will have access to certified seeds.
We have also supported the production of sorghum and Nyota beans in Kerio Valley, where we’ve seen impressive harvests. Furthermore, we’ve built a pack house in Kombabelio, Kapchemutwa Ward, to support horticulture farmers who grow crops like snow peas, sugar snaps, and French beans. This facility will help farmers store their produce properly, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase their earnings by cutting out intermediaries.
We are also working with several partners, including Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), and the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), to establish offices in our county, demonstrating their confidence in our potential.
To improve crop productivity, my administration has ensured easier access to subsidized fertilizers. We are in talks with the National Cereals and Produce Board to ensure timely delivery of fertilizers to stores across the county, including Chesoi, Labot, Kapcherop, Arror, Chebaror, Kibendo, Kaptarakwa, Kapkitony, Kamwosor, Kocholwo, Muskut, and Chepkorio, with new stores coming up in Kapyego, Arror, Kamagut, and Kamariny. This will increase the number of fertilizer outlets from one to 15 by the next planting season.
We have also rehabilitated the furrows in Arror and Endo Wards, which are crucial for irrigation and have contributed to increased cultivation of crops like sorghum, green grams, watermelon, beans, and tomatoes, translating into higher incomes for our farmers.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new Social Health Authority (SHA) has generated mixed reactions, but it brings several advantages. Under SHA, clients can register and receive immediate care, unlike before when there were long waiting periods. Each health facility can now file claims directly, enabling them to operate more efficiently, procure drugs, and improve infrastructure.
For instance, Kombabelio Dispensary in Kapchemutwa Ward, which previously earned nothing, will now be able to claim from SHA. However, there have been misconceptions surrounding the new system, and I urge everyone to register and update their dependents to avoid problems later. So far, 100,000 people have registered in 74 health facilities, making us the fifth-highest county in the country with a 21.8% registration rate.
We are working to resolve challenges, including the lack of birth certificates and ID cards, and we will bring registration services closer to the people through Huduma Centres and Community Health Promoters. Additionally, we encourage self-registration through the USSD code *147# or by visiting the SHIF registration portal at www.sha.go.ke.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In sports, we recently held the third edition of the Iten International Marathon, with over 1,000 athletes participating. Our county continues to be a hub for world-class athletes, and we will soon host the national volleyball tournament.
In partnership with the Pokot Heritage Foundation, we have sent over 2,000 youth from our county to various Technical and Vocational Training Colleges to pursue technical courses. Registration is ongoing, and we aim to enroll 5,000 students, with 250 students from each Ward. I encourage parents and guardians to take advantage of this opportunity.
In trade, we are working with the national government to construct modern markets across our sub-counties. Construction is underway, and we are currently reviewing the County headquarters market due to structural issues. Once completed, these markets will create job opportunities and boost trade in our region.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the roads sector, we have opened over 200 kilometers of new roads, including the Kapngot-Ketigoi Road in Keiyo South and the Kibendo-Kamaingon Road, which connects lower and upper Emsoo. Although some roads have been affected by recent mudslides, we have acted swiftly to clear them. I urge residents to avoid blocking drainage systems to prevent road damage.
In tourism, Rimoi Game Reserve is now fully ready for both domestic and international visitors. With its growing population of elephants, it has become a popular destination. I encourage all of you to visit Rimoi for camps, family gatherings, parties, and even weddings during this festive season.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
To meet our development goals, we must optimize our revenue collection. In the previous financial year, we raised Sh278 million, surpassing our target of Sh270 million. We are implementing measures to seal revenue loopholes, including enhanced compliance and cashless payment systems.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As I conclude, I urge you to use your family gatherings this festive season to assist others in registering for SHA and encourage them to participate in at least one cash crop venture.
I also wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you, and may God bless you all.
May God bless Elgeyo Marakwet.
RECENT COMMENTS