Residents of Baringo County have been urged to play a crucial role in overseeing all projects that are meant to benefit them.
Speaking at Eldama Ravine stadium on Monday during the 59th Jamuhuri day celebrations, Governor Benjamin Cheboi said that if residents are not proactive in the conceptualization and implementation of projects established near them, they might not get value for their money.
Cheboi who observed that there are various projects, like the Milk Processing plant in Eldama Ravine and Maoi abattoir in Baringo South which was initialized during his first term as a governor but stalled, called upon residents to exercise their constitutional right and responsibility to put on toes the government of the day in order to speed up such projects.
“Accountability and transparency will come if you participate in the decision making process of all these projects in our county,” he said.
The Baringo Governor also urged local leaders to unite so that they can work for the common good of the people.
He said that the county is endowed with many natural resources like lakes, minerals and geothermal energy which must be jealously guarded so that it can benefit future generations.
Cheboi lamented over recent cattle rustling incidences which he said were misreported since it happened in a neighbouring county.
He maintained that the county has been enjoying relative calm for the past seven months as residents go about their normal duties hence such reporting can scare away investors who want to come to the county and initiate development projects.
The same sentiments were supported by county commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa who urged communities to continue living in harmony and forgo retrogressive practices like cattle rustling and banditry which do not help them.
Jaldesa said that meaningful development will be realized when residents promote peaceful coexistence amongst themselves.
He challenged residents especially from Koibatek Sub County to do extensive farming since he noted that the area has a capacity to feed other counties in the region.
County assembly Speaker Vincent Kemboi lauded some of the projects that the new administration is currently undertaking like street lighting and cabro works in Kabarnet and Eldama Ravine towns respectively and urged the governor to extend the same to other towns like Mogotio, Chemolingot, Marigat and Kabartonjo.
Kemboi said that as the legislative wing they are ready to support the governor and oversight his leadership.
Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie who attended the function revealed that the legislators from the six counties were planning on how to get development partners who will support development projects in the different sub-counties.
Kandie said that there are critical needs like sewerage system in all urban areas which need to be put up in order to promote industrialization and growth of major towns in the county.
On service efficiency governor Cheboi promised to automate services in vehicle parking and health records in hospitals where he intends to install toll free telephone numbers so that patients can report complaints on service delivery.
Harold Kipchumba, a polio immunization goodwill ambassador asked institutions to set up disability friendly infrastructures within their premises and respect people with disability.
By Christopher Kiprop and Benson Kelio
