Why the South Rift region feels forgotten by Ruto's government

Disillusioned residents of the South Rift region are calling on President William Ruto to fulfill promises he made to them during his presidential campaign.

In a region that voted almost unanimously for President Ruto and the UDA party, a rebellion seems to be growing against the Kenya Kwanza administration over the lack of tangible development.

Last Sunday, President Ruto spent time reflecting on the 2024 achievements during a church service in Konoin constituency, Kericho County, but many South Rift residents residents say there is  little to show.

According to political analyst Leonard Kipkemoi, former mayor of the defunct Bomet Municipal Council, the president should fulfill the promises he made to voters.

He noted that the region is littered with many stalled projects.

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Stalled projects

Among the projects that the residents are complaining about are; the stalled Sh41 billion Itare Dam project, the Sh15 billion Bosto Dam, the Sh6 billion South Rift Referral Hospital, the upgrading of the Kerenga airstrip to an airport at the cost of Sh55 million, and several stalled market projects. 

“People are angry because the president has been launching projects that have all stalled. This turn of events has raised serious questions about his commitment to fulfill his pre-election projects,” said Kipkemoi.

He added; “We had confidence in this government, but the delay in implementing the development project sis hurting us.”

In Kericho County, the construction of the much-anticipated Londiani Referral Hospital in Londiani, Kipkelion East Constituency, remains elusive despite repeated assurances from President Ruto.

This project, long envisioned as a transformative healthcare milestone for the region, has been characterised by delays and unfulfilled pledges.

In a recent announcement, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi speaking in Tendendo/Sorget Ward, highlighted the government’s commitment to this vital initiative as he assured residents that construction is finally set to commence.

“This is thanks to Sh500 million secured by the government from the Chinese government during President Ruto’s September visit to China,” he said.

Although Kipkelion East MP, Joseph Cherorot, welcomed the development and commended President Ruto for his efforts, he urged the government to increase the funding to Sh1 billion to adequately cover projected costs.

While the announcement brings some hope, other stalled projects in Kericho County cast a shadow over development efforts.

The construction of the Kerenga Airstrip in Belgut Constituency has stalled since the 60th Mashujaa Day celebrations in 2023.

Allegations of misappropriation of Sh45.4 million under the tenure of former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen have resulted in an Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigation.

Nonetheless, Kericho Governor Erick Mutai recently announced that his administration has concluded negotiations with Browns Plantation which has agreed to cede 52 acres of land to facilitate the airstrip’s construction.

Meanwhile, the Kiprugut Chumo Stadium, formerly Kericho Green Stadium, remains incomplete.

Despite Sh110 million spent in 2019 on laying an artificial tartan track during the tenure of former Governor Paul Chepkwony, the stadium’s key features—including a perimeter wall, parking area, and public toilets—remain unfinished.

The venue, renamed in honour of Kiprugut Chumo, Kenya’s first Olympic medalist, was marred by tragedy during the 2023 Mashujaa Day celebrations when four people lost their lives in a stampede at Gate C.

Jane Cheruiyot, who lost her 24-year-old daughter Mercy Chepkemoi, decried the hazardous conditions caused by incomplete renovations, including open trenches.

The anger has spilled over to social media where young people from the region have questioned the president’s commitment to deliver on his development promise.

Empty-handed hunter

Kiprop Rono used the adage of a hunter to explain the prevailing situation in the region.

He said; “Once again the hunter returns home empty-handed with words of hope and affirmation. During the hunt he was lucky to get a hare, unfortunately, it was too small for him and his kinsmen. He roasted it, had his fill, and shared the spoils with strangers.”

Rono continued; “The hunter returns home hoping his kinsmen will understand, after all, they are known for being gracious and generous…”

Much more than prayers

Patrick Bett accused the president of neglecting the region in terms of development and instead only visiting the South Rift for prayers.

“In the past year, Ruto has been in the South Rift region 12 times for prayers, while when he visits other regions, he goes for development tours. Kipsigis nation tunataka development, si maombi (Kipsigis want development, not prayers),” he wrote on his Facebook page.

But last month during an interdenominational prayer meeting at Kipsitet, Sigowet -Soin Sub- County, Ruto announced the revival of the stalled Sh55 million Kerenga Airport project in Kericho County.

 The Head of State attributed previous delays to challenges in acquiring adequate land for the project.

Ruto expressed gratitude to Ekatera Tea for agreeing to provide the necessary land, which now paves the way for the airport’s development.

He directed the Ministry of Transport to initiate the procurement process to resume work on the airport, which is expected to significantly impact Kericho’s trade and agricultural sectors. Known as a major tea-growing region, Kericho is poised to benefit from the improved connectivity and market access that the airport will provide.

The Kerenga Airstrip, previously rehabilitated by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), has remained in a state of neglect. Its dilapidated 1.2-kilometer runway is slated for extension to 2 kilometers as part of the revitalization efforts.

The president emphasised the importance of the airport in boosting regional trade and unlocking Kericho’s economic potential, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development in key agricultural areas.

However, Cosmas Rono Konoin, a resident said nothing tangible could be seen on the ground. “Thousands of residents of Bomet and Kericho could benefit from the stalled Bosto water project. We don’t know when it will start or it was just a campaign to seek votes, this government has let us down and I don’t know whether it will be possible for Ruto to be re-elected in 2027,” said Rono.                                  

He said no capital project has been completed due to politics and sideshows.

Another resident Betty Sang said Kenya Kwanza officials have been feuding after Ruto formed a broad-based government with ODM and Jubilee.

“Kenyans are suffering yet the people we elected are fighting each other instead of working,” Sang said.

She called for the completion of the water project to benefit the residents.

Joseph Langat, another resident said the many corruption cases in nearly all the ministries should also be tamed as this will derail his re-election bid.

“There is no single capital project going on in the past two years, yet the government is keen to increase and collect taxes,” Langat said.

In Nakuru County, residents are disheartened and close to giving up hope that they will ever experience the benefit of the Itare Dam project.

“We are still waiting for the Itare Dam that the president promised us. That project has been long overdue,” said Peter Cheruiyot, a resident of Kuresoi South where the project is located.

Steve Mkawale, Kiprono Kurgat and Nikko Tanui