President William Ruto visited Sigor to inspect road and market construction projects.
President William Ruto says road, irrigation and electricity investments will expand economic opportunities in Kerio Valley and help tackle insecurity.
President William Ruto says the Sh4.4 billion Kerio Valley road project will boost trade and help curb banditry. The 35-kilometre Kopasi River-Lomut-Sigor-Marich Pass road is 60 per cent complete.
Ruto spoke in Sigor town, West Pokot County, after inspecting construction works. He said government investments were creating economic opportunities in communities that have faced banditry and cattle rustling.
Alongside roads, he cited irrigation schemes, electricity connections and modern markets as key drivers of the region’s development. He also reaffirmed his commitment to distributing development resources fairly across the country.
Kerio Valley road to shorten Lodwar journey
The road project aims to improve connections between West Pokot, Turkana, Baringo and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties. Ruto said it forms part of the wider Nakuru-Marich Pass corridor, offering an alternative to the Nakuru-Eldoret route.
According to the President, the corridor will cut the journey to Lodwar by 70 kilometres. It will also reduce travel time by more than two hours, easing the movement of passengers and goods.
Ruto said better roads would encourage commercial activity and attract investors to the region. They would also strengthen connections between communities that have experienced years of insecurity.
He cited rising land values as evidence of economic gains from government development projects. Land values had increased more than tenfold, he said, linking the rise to investments including roads, housing and electricity.
Irrigation and electricity investments
Meanwhile, Ruto said the government was expanding the Turkwel irrigation project to cover 50,000 acres. The expansion aims to raise agricultural production and strengthen food security.
He also announced a Sh2.6 billion allocation to connect 10,000 West Pokot households to electricity. The connections will fall under the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Programme.
These investments would support farming, businesses and other productive activities, the President said. He presented them as part of efforts to give residents more economic opportunities.
Alongside the infrastructure plans, Ruto urged parents to ensure their children attend school and benefit from education reforms. He said education remained essential for young people’s prospects and long-term development in communities affected by insecurity.
Sigor market targets December 2026 completion
During the visit, Ruto also inspected construction of the Sh147 million Sigor Modern Market in Pokot Central Constituency. The project is 47 per cent complete, with completion scheduled for December 2026.
The President said the market project had already created jobs for more than 100 young people. Specialised fabrication work is reserved for local Jua Kali artisans.
The facility will provide better working spaces for traders and support local commerce. Ruto said it formed part of wider government efforts to improve trading infrastructure and deliver benefits to communities.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen accompanied Ruto. Also present were Kimani Ichung’wah, Aaron Cheruiyot, West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin and several Members of Parliament.
