Unmet promises haunt Rift Valley governors ahead of 2027 elections

As the race towards the 2027 General Election gradually gathers momentum, governors across the Rift Valley are entering a defining stretch of their tenure, one in which campaign promises are being weighed against visible results on the ground.

Four years after the 2022 polls, the mood among voters is increasingly reflective, even critical, as they assess whether their leaders have delivered meaningful change or merely perfected the art of political messaging.

Back in 2022, the campaign season was marked by energy, optimism and sweeping promises. Candidates traversed vast counties, pledging to transform healthcare systems, expand road networks, provide clean and reliable water, and create job opportunities for restless youth populations. Manifestos were detailed, messaging was sharp, and public expectations were high.

Today, however, the reality on the ground presents a far more complex picture. Across many counties, ambitious pledges have collided with the challenges of governance—budgetary constraints, bureaucratic inertia, inherited projects and, in some cases, questionable prioritisation.

Healthcare has emerged as one of the most critical indicators of performance. In some counties, there have been notable strides—new facilities constructed, additional medical personnel hired and improved access to essential drugs. These gains, though uneven, have offered hope to communities that have long struggled with inadequate services.

Yet in other areas, the story is less encouraging. Residents continue to report chronic shortages of medicine, delayed salaries for health workers and frequent strikes that disrupt services. For many voters, the measure of leadership is no longer what was promised, but what is consistently delivered in hospital wards and clinics.

Infrastructure development, particularly road networks, tells a similarly mixed story. Roads are often the most visible symbol of development, directly affecting livelihoods by connecting farmers to markets and communities to essential services. In counties where roads have been upgraded or newly constructed, the impact is tangible—reduced transport costs, improved access, and increased economic activity. 

However, in several parts of the Rift Valley,  incomplete road projects and poor maintenance continue to undermine progress. Dusty, impassable feeder roads remain a daily reality for many residents, raising difficult questions about project implementation and accountability. For voters, the issue is straightforward: can they see and use the development they were promised? 

Water access remains another defining issue. In regions where boreholes have been drilled, pipelines extended, and water systems improved, governors are earning quiet approval from residents whose daily lives have been transformed. 

Frustrations

But in areas still reliant on seasonal rivers or costly private vendors, frustration is deepening. The disparity between promise and reality is fuelling skepticism, with many residents questioning whether political commitments were ever intended to be fulfilled. 

Some governors, particularly those serving their first term, argue that their focus has been on completing projects inherited from previous administrations rather than launching new ones. This explanation has resonated with some observers but has also drawn criticism from those who expected faster and more visible progress. 

In Nakuru County, Governor Susan Kihika has defended her administration’s approach, emphasizing the importance of completing stalled projects to avoid wasting public resources. Speaking during the handover of the Nakuru Trauma Center and Afraha Stadium—both long-delayed projects—she reiterated her commitment to ensuring value for taxpayers’ money. 

Despite these efforts, however, the county continues to grapple with a significant number of incomplete projects. In areas such as Mai Mahiu, Olenguruone, and Njoro, residents remain frustrated as key facilities, particularly in the health sector, remain unfinished. 

In Mai Mahiu, a Level Four Hospital project estimated at Sh154 million has become a symbol of stalled development. Nearly five years since its commencement, the facility stands incomplete, with overgrown compounds and locked doors serving as a stark reminder of unmet promises.

Baringo County presents an equally troubling picture. Governor Benjamin Cheboi, who returned to office in 2022, pledged to restore public confidence by completing stalled projects. Yet several key initiatives remain unfinished years later. 

Among them is the Kabarnet Stadium, whose construction began in 2014. Despite significant financial investment, the project remains incomplete. Audit reports have repeatedly raised concerns, including the revelation that the county government did not own the land on which the stadium was being built—raising the risk of losing public funds entirely. 

Nearby, the Kabarnet Sewage System project, valued at Sh600 million, has similarly stalled. Initially intended to improve sanitation and public health, the project has remained dormant since 2019, with only minimal activity recently observed. 

Local activists have been vocal in their criticism. Human rights defender Isaiah Biwott has described some of these initiatives as political stunts, accusing leaders of exploiting public expectations for electoral gain. According to him, repeated launches and relaunches of the same projects have become a strategy to maintain political visibility rather than deliver tangible results. 

Other projects in the county, including abattoirs in Maoi, Loruk, and Barwesa, have also drawn scrutiny. Despite substantial financial allocations, progress has been slow, raising questions about efficiency and accountability. 

In Bomet County, Governor Hilary Barchok faces mounting pressure over his administration’s performance. Having pledged to fight poverty and transform agriculture, Barchok had raised hopes among farmers through initiatives such as a proposed tea export deal with Iran. 

The deal, however, failed to materialize, leaving farmers disillusioned. Many continue to struggle with low tea prices and high production costs, issues that were central to campaign promises. 

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai and Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu are also facing increasing scrutiny. In Kericho, efforts to revive the Roret Pineapple Processing Factory have yet to yield meaningful results. Despite promises of substantial funding, oversight reports have highlighted poor workmanship and lack of visible progress. 

Local leaders have described the project as a “white elephant.” The growing dissatisfaction has provided political ammunition for challengers positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections. 

Governor Ntutu has taken a more defensive stance, insisting that his administration has made significant progress. He points to investments in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, as well as ward-level funding allocations, as evidence of his government’s achievements. 

Ntutu has also dismissed criticism from some Members of County Assembly, accusing them of lacking a development agenda and failing to collaborate with the county government. He maintains that ongoing projects will be completed before the next election, expressing confidence in his administration’s track record. 

In Nandi County, Governor Stephen Sang has struck a similarly optimistic tone, asserting that he has fulfilled most of his campaign pledges. He cites progress in infrastructure projects, including roads, markets, and healthcare facilities, as proof of his administration’s effectiveness. 

Nyandarua County offers a more nuanced picture, with both achievements and ongoing challenges. Governor Kiarie Badilisha has made notable progress in road rehabilitation, significantly improving access for farmers. By his administration’s account, over 1,500 kilometers of roads have been upgraded, opening up previously inaccessible areas.

For farmers like Daniel Gathiru and Jane Gathoni, the impact has been transformative. Improved roads have reduced post-harvest losses and made it easier to transport produce to markets, directly boosting incomes. 

Water provision has also improved, with thousands of households gaining access to clean water through borehole projects and expanded infrastructure. These developments have supported agricultural activities, particularly irrigation, contributing to increased productivity. 

However, not all initiatives have been well received. Plans to introduce coffee farming in the region have sparked debate among farmers, some of whom question the suitability of the crop given local conditions and lack of supporting infrastructure. 

Additionally, concerns persist over exploitation by middlemen in the agricultural sector. Despite existing regulations, many farmers feel that enforcement has been weak, limiting their ability to benefit fully from their produce.

[Reports by George Sayagie, Nikko Tanui, Kiprono Kurgat and James Munyeki]