Kericho: President William Ruto’s four-day development tour of Kericho County has set the stage for the expansion and upgrading of Kericho Town towards city status, with major investments unveiled in urban infrastructure, housing, education, health, roads, water, electricity, and sports.
According to Kenya News Agency, the government has secured 800 acres at Chelimo-Kevogo, just a short distance from Kericho Town, to facilitate the town’s expansion as part of plans to position Kericho for city status, with an additional 12 link roads also set to be upgraded to bitumen standards.
At Chelimo-Kevogo, President Ruto laid the foundation stone for 2,280 Affordable Housing units in a Sh5.9 billion project expected to provide new homes and create employment through construction and related activities. The President also launched the Chelimo Special Economic Zone, which will host investments in various sectors, with business process outsourcing alone expected to create more than 10,000 jobs for young people in Kericho and beyond.
President William Ruto shakes hands with Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome during the official commissioning of the construction of Chemilo Affordable Housing Project in Chelimo, Kericho Town. The Head of State also initiated the Sh5.6 billion University of Kabianga School of Medicine and Health Sciences, whose First Phase will include major educational facilities.
Within Kericho Town, the construction and upgrading of Kiprugut Chumo Stadium is being undertaken at a cost of Sh1 billion to establish a modern sporting and events facility. Additionally, President Ruto announced Sh8 billion secured for the construction of a referral hospital in Kericho Town, while a separate referral hospital is planned for Londiani.
The urban expansion plans were accompanied by major road investments across the County, with the Government committing Sh22 billion to construct over 300 kilometres of roads in Kericho County. Key road projects include the upgrading of the Torit-Kenegut-Koitaburot-Kipsitet-Kapsorok-Sondu-Koilsir-Mindililwet-Mabasi-Machorwa-Getarwet Road and the Panda Pilis-Kampala/Bakoyot-Mabasi Road.
In Bureti, the President launched the upgrading of several roads and laid the foundation stone for the Sh1.1 billion Kapkatet Stadium, while Sh1.6 billion was allocated to water projects. President Ruto also opened the Sh50 million Kapkatet ESP Market.
In Kipkelion East, the President launched the construction of the Sabunit-Kapkondor/Furaha-Hill Tea Access Road, with Kipkelion West receiving a major road investment with the launch of construction of the Tegat-Kichuchun Road.
In Belgut Sub-county, President Ruto commissioned link roads, while Sosiot benefited from an ESP market and expanded electricity connectivity. Dr. Ruto revealed that SHA registration in Kericho had reached 73 percent, with significant healthcare benefits extended to residents.
The four-day tour covered all six sub-counties, bringing major national development projects closer to residents while advancing Kericho’s plans for expanded urban infrastructure and improved connectivity.
President Ruto was accompanied by several key government officials, including Senate Majority Leader and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Mutai, and other local leaders.
