ELDORET, Nov 16 – Leaders from four North Rift counties have thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto for their commitment to develop the region.
Governors Jackson Mandago of Uasin Gishu, Patrick Khaemba of Trans Nzoia, Alex Tolgos of Elgeyo Marakwet and Cleophas Lagat of Nandi who led other leaders in discussing development at a meeting with President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto said they have tested the fruits of being in Government and will always support it.
“We cannot afford to be misled into joining the losing side. We will always stick with the Jubilee Government because it has the interests of Kenyans at heart,” the leaders said.
Addressing the leaders at Eldoret State Lodge, President Kenyatta affirmed that the initial Jubilee Government’s focus on developing all parts of the country without discrimination.
“We want to show people that our Government does not discriminate. Our aim is not to form a Government for five but 50 years,” President Kenyatta said.
He added: “In five years, the money the National Government will have spent in the four counties for development will be more than what has been spent in 20 years.”
The President made major announcements that will promote agriculture in the North Rift counties of Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi.
He said a Sh11 billion fertiliser factory – the first in the country – will be built in Eldoret.
To promote dairy farming in the region, President Kenyatta said the Government has allocated Sh400 million for the expansion of the Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC) factory in Eldoret. He said a Sh500 million debt KCC owes the Government has also been waived to enable the factory run smoothly and pay farmers promptly.
The Head of State informed the leaders that the Government has also increased allocation of funds to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to expand its depots and buy maize from farmers on a continuous basis.
The President said the NCPB will also meet the cost of drying maize, to relieve maize farmers of the extra expense.
On health, President Kenyatta said the National Government has set aside Sh800 million to improve county hospitals.
“We will also expand Kenyatta National Hospital just like the new one that will be built in Eldoret,” President Kenyatta said, adding that each former province will get a referral hospital.
Deputy President William Ruto assured the region that land has been identified for the construction of a 2000-bed capacity ultra modern referral hospital in Eldoret to provide quality healthcare services.
-capitalfm.co.k
