Little known Mosoriot town in Nandi County will soon be upgraded into a municipality following the launch of multimillion shillings projects supported by the World Bank, National Government and County Government of Nandi.
The town located close to ten Kilometers from Eldoret International Airport and host of Koitalel Samoei University, Kenya Medical College and Mosoriot Teachers has turned the former little known centre into a beehive of activities as the growing population overstretching the few infrastructure available.
It is for this reason the Government through The Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement (KISIP 2), project supported by World Bank has approved close to shs 300 million to support infrastructure upgrading within Mosoriot town with some projects ongoing according Jonah Kipruto, Nandi County Government Chief Officer in charge of Lands, Housing, Physical Planning, Urban Development, Water, Environment and Climate Change.
Jonah confirmed that the use of the first shs 30 million is on course as the town has now been lit with three High Lighting Towers and modern stage to accommodate travellers trooping the town daily.
“we have been able to complete three out of the planned five High Mast Street Lights,” Kipruto told the press at Mosoriot town while meeting national KISIP 2 officials on their tour of the project’s progress.
Kipruto said that a contractor was successfully awarded tender of the remaining shs 270 million after conforming to rigorous tendering process.
“this is a settlement where we are doing infrastructural works, for example we have completed 35 units of market stalls in this passenger vehicle stage which we intend to transfer to women vendors who are now trading along the road,” he said.
The Chief Officer revealed that the intention to move small traders and passenger vehicles from along the road is aimed at reducing accidents and creating order in a Nandi fast growing town.
He said the intended construction of up to 3 km road into bitumen standard within Mosoriot town are part of the infrastructure works planned to overhaul the town standards.
“all these activities happening here have created employment especially to the youths and women, a situation which drastically has reduced crime within the town,” Kipruto revealed.
According to him, the cost of buying land has suddenly skyrocketed within Mosoriot town from shs 1 million to shs 2 million per point plot as demand for residential and commercial houses pushed beyond the limits.
Robert Kiptoo KISIP 2 Mosoriot project community representative said the project had employed more than 100 young men and women who are paid at least shs 700 daily.
“they used to sell illicit brew for survival but since they were engaged in KISP 2 works, the consumption and sale of outlawed liquor within Mosoriot town has reduced,”” he said.
Nandi County Government Finance Chief Officer Priscah Muge said thorough publication was done before identification of the projects and that her department which is in charge of finance will ensure the projects are completed within one year contract period.
“Once these programs are completed, we anticipate that this township will be elevated into a municipality status given the development programs milestones that will be achieved,” the Finance Chief said.
She reiterated that many institutions around Mosoriot town are enabling infrastructures to attract more investors to invest in the township.
Muge also expressed confidence that challenges of drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and many other social issues will be managed as the KISIP 2 has a budget for creating awareness on addressing social issues.
David Kemei, Nandi County World Bank Funded Projects Coordinator assured that all conditions set by the World Bank KISIP 2 projects were attained before commencement of the works.
“We’ll not compromise quality, we have been very strict, working together with consultants and engineers,” Kemei promised.
Jane Mwangi Project Assistant Resident Engineer said eleven percent of progress works citing heavy rains experienced in the region as part of the challenges during ongoing works.
The locals and local traders’ louded the KISIP2 project and National Government Economic Stimulus market project also being implemented in Mosoriot as the key indicators of lifting their way of life.
Nandi County is among 33 counties where World Band Funded KISIP 2 is being implemented. Nandi County Government has contributed ten percent of the total project cost according to County Finance Chief Muge.
By Geoffrey Satia
