The National Government has used Sh22 billion to build infrastructure in different parts of Narok County since the onset of devolution.
Principal Secretary (PS) Youth Affairs, Charles Sunkuli, said among the key flagship projects implemented in the County including the construction of Ewaso Ng’iro Tannery in Narok South Sub-county, over 300 kilometers of road tarmacked and implementation of a mega water and sewerage project in Narok town.
He said the tannery is a major project that can transform the livelihood of the county’s economic status if well utilized.
“The tanner is currently operating at 30 percent capacity. The government intends to achieve 100 percent commercialization by adapting the ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ program,” he said.
Sunkuli who spoke during the consultation forum of 2023-2027 Medium Term Plan (MTP) held at a Narok hotel, reiterated the government’s intention to ensure that all boots used by security personnel, is sourced from the factory in order to create more jobs and market for the livestock farmers.
“There is no other factory of its kind in the country and northern parts of Tanzania. If well utilized, hundreds of young people will be employed as well as boosting livelihood,” he said.
The PS observed the need for the two levels of government to invest in livestock census and registration of farmers for proper planning.
“We need data on the livestock in the County as it is the major source of livelihood in the pastoralist dominated County. This will make the County monitor the progress of the livestock such that when one livestock dies, the officials in the department will be concerned,” he said.
The County Chief Executive Member (CECM)-In-Charge of Finance, Julius Sasai, observed the need to synchronize the County and National Government projects to avoid duplication and achieve the vision 2030 agenda.
He said the MTP will inform the formation of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) that is key in the implementation of projects in the county.
Sasai reiterated that the County Government had implemented major projects since devolution, among them the ongoing expansion of the Narok County Referral Hospital to an addition of 400 beds, the ongoing building of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and establishment of a 300 bed capacity Covid-19 Isolation Center.
Narok County Commissioner, Isaac Masinde, asked the stakeholders to prioritize infrastructure in their planning so as to aid transportation in the County.
“Building more infrastructure will make the County accessible and create employment to more youth who are jobless in the County,” he said.
He assured of security during this season the County is heading towards the General Elections assuring the investors that their businesses will be safe.
The Administrator also credited the 2019 move by the government to evict illegal settlers at the Maasai Mau Forest, saying more rains have been witnessed in the county and volumes of water increased.
By Ann Salaton
