President William Ruto is expected in Narok County on Tuesday for a two-day development tour that will see him launch major road projects, commission Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets and inspect ongoing infrastructure projects across the county.
The President will begin his tour at Olokurto Trading Centre in Narok North Sub-County, where he is expected to launch the construction of the 48-kilometer, Enengetia–Olokurto–Olpusimoru Road, which will be upgraded to bitumen standards.
The road will pass through one of Narok's major agricultural zones, linking farmers and communities to markets and opening up the area to wider trade opportunities.
Narok North is one of the county's key agricultural areas and forms an important part of Kenya's food production belt.
The sub-county is characterised by fertile agricultural land and favourable conditions for the production of wheat, barley and potatoes, among other crops.
The area is also known for livestock keeping, particularly Merino sheep, making agriculture and livestock production the backbone of the local economy.
Produce from the region supplies markets within Narok and other parts of the country.
However, despite its importance as a food-producing zone, parts of Narok North have for years faced inadequate transport infrastructure. Farmers have often had to rely on roads that are vulnerable to deterioration, particularly during rainy seasons, making it difficult and costly to transport farm produce to markets.
The planned tarmacking of the Enengetia–Olokurto–Olpusimoru Road is therefore being viewed by local leaders as a major intervention that could transform the region's agricultural economy.
Narok West MP Gabriel Ole Tongoyo said the road would be the first tarmac road in the area and would significantly open up the region.
“We thank President Ruto for his decision to construct the first tarmac road ever in this area that has been the food basket not only of Narok but the whole country. The road will go a long way in opening up that area,” Tongoyo said.
Tongoyo was speaking during a press briefing ahead of the President's visit, where he welcomed the planned development projects.
He said the road would particularly benefit farmers by improving the transportation of agricultural produce from farms to markets, reducing transport challenges and strengthening links between the production areas and major trading centres.
The President is also expected to launch the construction of the Maasaantare–Ewuaso Ngiro Road and inspect the ongoing Ololulunga–Songoo Road project.
At Ololulunga Trading Centre, Ruto is expected to commission an ESP market, before proceeding to Olpusimoru near the Kenya-Tanzania border for the launch of the last-mile electricity connectivity programme.
The projects are expected to improve transport, trade and access to electricity while supporting economic activity in some of the county's remote areas.
Meanwhile, Tongoyo condemned the recent violence along the Narok-Kisii border, where two people have been killed amid renewed skirmishes.
The legislator said security agencies had put measures in place to contain the situation and prevent further loss of life.
Tongoyo urged residents to remain calm and allow security agencies and local leaders to address the dispute through established mechanisms.
“We condemn the chaos that has erupted along the Narok-Kisii border. Two people have lost their lives, and that is something we cannot allow to continue,” Tongoyo said.
He added that appropriate security measures had been put in place to contain the skirmishes and restore calm in the affected areas.
President Ruto will continue his Narok tour on Wednesday, when he is expected to launch the construction of the Maasai Mara–Johanna Ngeno University College, commission an ESP market at Momboleo, and launch several other road projects.
The visit is expected to place a spotlight on infrastructure development in Narok, particularly projects aimed at improving road connectivity, supporting agriculture, expanding electricity access and boosting trade in rural communities.
