The Kenya Kwanza administration has reaffirmed its commitment to reviving and fast-tracking completion of stalled but critical rural access road projects across the country, in line with President William Ruto’s directives to boost connectivity, spur local economies and ensure value for taxpayers’ money.
To monitor compliance with the presidential instructions, Deputy Chief of Staff, Delivery and Government Efficiency Mr Eliud Owalo, led a high-powered inspection mission across Bomet County.
He was accompanied by the Acting Head of the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) Mr Olando Sitati, GDU officers, and a multi-agency team comprising Bomet Deputy Governor Mr Shadrack Rotich, Bomet East MP Mr Richard Yegon, Deputy County Commissioner (Bomet Central) Ms Flavia Okumu, KeRRA and KAA engineers, NEMA officials and representatives from Bomet University College and the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency.
The team’s mandate was to assess progress, unlock bottlenecks and ensure smooth delivery of priority projects that directly affect livelihoods and economic growth.
Key among the projects inspected was the Ksh2.8 billion Silibwet–Merigi–Chemaner–Kembu–Longisa Road, a 75-kilometre corridor being implemented by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
The road links Bomet East, Bomet Central and Narok South constituencies. The government has prioritised completion of the critical 28-kilometre Silibwet–Merigi–Kaporuso–Kembu–Longisa section by February 2026.
So far, 18.5 km has been tarmacked, with the remaining works expected to conclude by April 2027.
Revived in August 2025 following a Presidential directive, the road is set to boost inter-county connectivity across Bomet, Narok and Nakuru, linking key trading centres including Kaparuso, Tegat, Chemaner, Matecha and Mugoiywet.
The team also inspected the Longisa–Sigor–Kyogong–Sigor road, a 60-kilometre link in Chepalungu and Bomet East constituencies, also being implemented by KeRRA at a cost of Ksh2.1 billion.
The project, now at 26% completion, had stalled before being revived by a Presidential directive in March 2024. It is scheduled for completion by March 2026 and is expected to support agriculture and improve mobility within the wider area economy.
Another key project reviewed was the Bomet–Longisa–Mulot Water Supply and Sanitation System, being implemented under the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Programme.
Costing Ksh1.9 billion, the project spans Bomet Central and Bomet East. It will supply 17 million litres of treated drinking water daily to an estimated 394,000 people by 2041. Project Affected Persons (PAPs) praised the government for speedy compensation following GDU interventions that revived the stalled works in January 2025.
In Chepalungu constituency, the team assessed the Bomet Affordable Housing Project, which is at 97% completion. The Ksh547 million development, implemented by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, comprises 220 affordable and social housing units aimed at upgrading living standards with modern amenities.
Also inspected was the proposed Bomet (Itembe) Airstrip, whose construction near Kapkwen market is underway at a cost of Ksh214.3 million. The Kenya Airports Authority is upgrading the existing runway to a 1-kilometre, 20-metre-wide bitumen-surfaced strip complete with a perimeter fence. Phase one includes taxiways, apron construction and windsock installation.
Phase two will extend the runway to 1.2 km, expand its width to 23 metres, construct a terminal, add service facilities and acquire 40 acres to meet ICAO Annex 14 safety and operational standards.
The airstrip, last rehabilitated in 1990, is currently unusable. Once completed in February 2027, it is expected to support medical evacuation for facilities such as Tenwek Mission Hospital, promote tourism, facilitate movement of goods and advance agriculture and manufacturing in the region. It currently stands at 10% completion.
The inspection team also evaluated the Bomet University College Library Block, which is jointly implemented by the State Department for Higher Education and the institution.
The College’s Principal, Prof. Charles Mutai and Council Chairperson, Prof. John Shiundu, said the institution was keen to specialize in Environmental Sciences. Mr. Owalo agreed with the dons and urged universities to focus on specialized areas with competitive advantage.
With a 96% completion status, the block will provide modern learning facilities for the steadily growing student population.
The inspection tour underscored the government’s resolve to restore stalled projects, enforce accountability and accelerate project delivery for the benefit of citizens across the country.
