Nairobi: The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Kericho County has reaffirmed its commitment to the broad-based Government, emphasizing that the political cooperation between President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga aims to accelerate development, strengthen national unity, and improve the livelihoods of Kenyans through inclusive governance.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the funeral service of renowned dairy farmer Ann Chebochok at Kericho Golf Club, ODM Kericho County Chairperson Ann Chepkwony stated that the collaboration between the two leaders provides an opportunity for leaders from different political formations to work together in addressing key national priorities, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment. She emphasized that the partnership should be viewed as a development-focused initiative rather than a political arrangement driven by individual interests, noting that cooperation among leaders is essential in delivering services and implementing programmes that directly benefit wananchi.
Chepkwony highlighted the importance of the broad-based Government in bringing leaders together to support sectors that sustain the people, especially agriculture. She remarked that farmers like the late Ann Chebochok are the foundation of the economy and deserve policies that guarantee better milk prices, affordable farm inputs, access to markets, and modern farming technologies. She urged leaders across the political divide to embrace dialogue and unity in advancing policies that promote economic growth and improve the welfare of ordinary citizens.
Mourners gathered to celebrate the life of Chebochok, an accomplished dairy farmer recognized as one of Kericho County’s leading agricultural entrepreneurs. The deceased was praised for transforming dairy farming into a successful commercial enterprise through modern production methods, mentorship of fellow farmers, and dedication to improving livestock productivity. Family members, friends, farmers, and leaders described Chebochok as a hardworking entrepreneur whose commitment to agriculture inspired many farmers in Kericho and neighboring counties to embrace improved dairy farming practices.
Chepkwony noted that Chebochok’s achievements demonstrated the enormous potential of agriculture to create wealth, generate employment opportunities, and strengthen household food security when farmers receive adequate policy support, quality inputs, and access to modern technologies. She observed that the broad-based Government has created an environment in which leaders can jointly champion programmes aimed at increasing agricultural production, strengthening livestock value chains, and promoting value addition.
She called for sustained investment in irrigation, agricultural extension services, disease control programmes, artificial insemination, improved livestock breeds, affordable animal feeds, and agro-processing industries to enable farmers to increase productivity and earn higher incomes. Chepkwony emphasized that when leaders choose dialogue instead of division, the biggest beneficiaries are ordinary Kenyans, and highlighted the importance of directing more resources towards agriculture.
Chepkwony further stated that the dairy sector remains one of Kenya’s most important agricultural subsectors, contributing significantly to the national economy while supporting the livelihoods of more than two million households. She said Kericho County, whose economy is largely driven by tea and dairy farming, stands to benefit from policies that improve milk marketing systems, expand cold storage infrastructure, promote value addition, strengthen cooperative societies, and lower production costs for farmers. She appealed to leaders to place the interests of wananchi ahead of partisan politics and continue working together in implementing programmes that improve the welfare of farming communities.
In conclusion, Chepkwony remarked that creating an enabling environment for commercial agriculture would be the most fitting tribute to the late Chebochok, whose success story demonstrated the transformative power of farming. She affirmed that ODM remains committed to working with the Broad-Based Government in initiatives that uplift the lives of Kenyans, recognizing that agriculture remains the surest pathway to economic empowerment.
The funeral service brought together leaders from across the political divide in a display of bipartisan cooperation. Among those present were Kericho Governor Dr. Erick Mutai, Bomet Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok, Kericho Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Namibia Florence Bore, Kericho County Assembly Speaker Patrick Mutai, Bomet County Assembly Speaker Cosmas Korir, former Bomet Governor and Judicial Service Commission Vice Chairperson Isaac Ruto, religious leaders, professionals, farmers, and hundreds of mourners from Kericho and neighbouring counties. Speakers described the late Chebochok as an outstanding dairy farmer, mentor, philanthropist, and community leader whose commitment to agriculture transformed lives and inspired many people to invest in commercial dairy farming. They said her legacy would continue encouraging farmers across Kericho County and beyond to embrace innovation, resilience, and modern farming practices while demonstrating that agriculture remains one
of the most reliable pathways to wealth creation, food security, rural development, and sustainable economic growth.
