President William Ruto has received praise from Nandi County residents for infrastructure, healthcare and agricultural reforms, with supporters saying the projects are easing transport challenges, improving access to medical services and restoring livelihoods.

The residents cited the rehabilitation of the 56-kilometre Kopere-Meteitei-Timboroa road, the Mother and Child Hospital at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and the revival of Chemelil and Muhoroni sugar factories among the administration’s key achievements in the region.

They also praised the construction of Koitalel Samoei University in Nandi Hills, saying it would expand access to higher education and stimulate economic activity in the area.

Vivian Jepchirchir, a member of the Wasupa na Ruto lobby group, said projects initiated or completed under the president were making a difference across the region.

She singled out the Mother and Child Hospital at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, saying it would improve access to specialised maternal and child healthcare in Nandi County.

“For decades, our mothers have been travelling to Eldoret to access these services. But thanks to President William Ruto, we can now get quality care right here in Kapsabet,” she said.

Jepchirchir said the facility would ease the burden on families who previously travelled long distances in search of specialised care while improving access to essential services for expectant mothers and children.

She said better access to maternal healthcare could improve health outcomes by enabling women to receive appropriate medical attention closer to home.

On infrastructure, Jepchirchir praised the president for completing stalled road projects and initiating new ones, saying improved transport links would help farmers in the agriculturally rich region move their produce to markets more efficiently.

She said better roads would reduce transport costs, minimise delays and allow farmers to retain more of their earnings, with the benefits extending to traders and other businesses that depend on agricultural production.

Jackson Kemboi welcomed the launch of the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba highway project, saying its completion would strengthen connectivity between counties and facilitate trade along the busy transport corridor.

He said improved road infrastructure would make it easier for farmers and businesspeople to transport goods to Nairobi and return the same day, reducing the time and costs associated with moving produce and merchandise.

Kemboi said the road had remained in a deplorable state for years, making the government’s intervention a major development for communities and businesses that rely on it.

“We have been using this road for the last 20 years, while it has been in a deplorable state. We thank the President for his forthright thinking, which is going to revolutionise transport along the corridor,” he said.

He also praised the construction of Koitalel Samoei University in Nandi Hills, saying the institution would expand opportunities for young people seeking higher education while creating business opportunities for residents.

Kemboi said the University would stimulate demand for housing, transport, food and other services, providing an economic boost to Nandi Hills and neighbouring areas.

He further credited President Ruto with reviving the sugar industry, saying the resumption of operations at Chemelil and Muhoroni sugar factories had restored hope among farmers who depend on sugarcane growing for their livelihoods.

“Sugarcane farming is the mainstay of a number of farmers in this area. Right now, our farmers deliver cane to Chemelil and Muhoroni and they are paid. We really thank the President for this,” he said.

Kemboi said the resumption of factory operations had provided farmers with outlets for their cane and improved their prospects of earning income from their produce.

Residents also credited reforms in the tea sector with improving the fortunes of farmers, particularly through more reliable and timely payments.

They said improved payment arrangements would help farmers meet household expenses, reinvest in production and support businesses in rural trading centres.

The residents argued that the combined effect of better roads, improved healthcare, expanded higher education opportunities and agricultural sector reforms would stimulate economic activity and improve living standards across the region.

Nandi United Democratic Alliance (UDA) official, Peris Jerubet, said President Ruto deserved another term in office, arguing that his development record should be considered in assessing his performance.

She urged Kenyans to support his re-election bid, saying projects initiated by the administration had reached different parts of the country.

Jerubet also challenged opposition politicians to present a clear alternative development agenda instead of concentrating on criticising the government.

“I want to offer free advice to the opposition. You cannot defeat President Ruto. He is miles ahead of you and his development record speaks for itself,” she said.

She criticised opposition leaders for what she termed persistent attacks on the government without acknowledging its development record or proposing alternative solutions to the challenges facing Kenyans.

Jerubet maintained that the impact of government investments should be assessed against the practical changes they bring to communities, including easier access to healthcare, lower transport costs, reliable markets for agricultural produce and expanded educational opportunities.

 by Kosuri Valarie