Rift Valley leaders demand completion of Arror, Kimwarer, Itare dams
Leaders from Rift Valley region allied to Deputy President William Ruto have drafted demands of the completion of Arror, Kimwarer and Itare dams projects.
They are calling on President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure resumption of all projects that have stalled in the region.
“What the President has done in terms of projects in Nyanza is good and we support. But again, water remains a cardinal need for the people of Rift Valley. When it comes to Arror, Kimwarer and Itare, even those projects were stopped. They are still a priority to the people of Nakuru and Elgeyo Marakwet.” Nanok said.
“As leaders we are saying we are committed to that these projects be seen through. If it is going to go to the next government, which I believe we are going to be forming, so be it it is still going to be our priority, we would want that government deliver.” Nanok added.
According to Nanok, the 14-member committee will work with technical experts from various sectors to formulate a draft economic blue print in the next two weeks that will inform their negotiations with Ruto.
Apart from the stalled projects, in their agenda, the leaders also want sharing of revenue from national resources hosted in the region including national parks and boosting agriculture to be addressed.+
The Patron of the Rift valley elected leaders Onesmus Kimani Ngunjiri said the draft is crucially important given that even though the Deputy President hails from the region.
“…we don’t want to assume that if Ruto (our Presidential candidate) was to win, he understands all our problems. We are drafting issues that are specific to our region,” he said.
He maintained that no one can incite those who have undertaken to back Ruto’s bid for the presidency to withdraw their support.
Also present were governors Stephen Sang’ (Nandi), Stanley Kiptis(Baringo), Hillary Barchok(Bomet) and Jackson Mandago(Uasin Gishu); Senators Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) and Kipchumba Murkomen(Elgeyo Marakwet), MPs and county assembly speakers from the region.
