The construction of Narok Airport is set to be completed in the next two months, President William Ruto has announced.
He said it is coming as a major boost for tourism in Narok County and across the country.
Ruto said the airport will strengthen air connectivity to the Masai Mara National Reserve, a globally renowned wildlife park in Narok County, and boost tourism numbers in the country.
The Sh677 million facility, he pointed out, will serve both domestic and international passengers and support scheduled weekly flights from the Masai Mara through Nairobi’s Wilson Airport.
He was speaking on the first of a two-day visit of Narok County on Tuesday.
Present were Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, MPs Agnes Pareiyo (Narok North), Kitilai ole Ntutu (Narok South), Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West) and Lemanken Aramat (Narok East) and Women Rep Rebecca Tonkei, among other leaders.
He also announced that the Kilgoris Airstrip is complete, and will complement the Narok Airport in boosting transport to and from the expansive county.
Ruto said Kenya has earned respect internationally, citing his invitation to the G7 Summit in France in July and the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi and hosted jointly by Kenya and France last May.
Kenya, he added, targets to increase visitor numbers from the current 2.7 million to 5 million by 2028, noting that the sector is a key pillar of job creation.
During the four stops in Narok North, Narok South and Narok West, the President launched road projects, handed over a modern market to Mama Mboga and launched a power station.
He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that all regions in the country receive equitable development.
Pointing out that major transformative projects are being implemented across the country, he noted that politics of marginalisation must come to an end.
On electoral politics, Ruto explained that leaders are elected on the basis of a development agenda, not empty rhetoric. He called on Kenyans to reject politicians who have nothing to show and are only preach tribalism and hatred.
“Kenyans want an agenda that delivers development and progress, not empty talk,” he said.
He described his competitors as lacking a plan or an agenda to present to the electorate.
“You know these people have no vision and agenda for Kenyans. All they do is propagate division, spew hatred and are adept at name-calling,” he said.
Ruto gave Kenyans his personal commitment to unite the country and accord all parts of the country equal opportunity to economic progress.
“Narok is a rich agricultural county and there is no reason why you should not have good roads,” the President told residents of Narok South.
“I will end politics of marginalisation. That is what the Constitution requires of me,” he pledged.
Ruto started the first of his two-day visit with launching the construction of the 59km Enengetia-Olkurto-Olposimoru road in Narok North, connecting key areas such as Eneng’etia, Olokurto, Enkuseru, Olposimoru and Kiptenden.
The road will also open up the agriculture-rich region by making it easier for farmers to transport vegetables, maize, wheat and dairy produce, among other products, to markets, while boosting trade and business along the corridor.
The President said the major projects being undertaken in Narok County are aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the region, and cited the 300km of roads the Government is building at a cost of KSh6 billion.
Additionally, he cited the tarmacking of the Noswani-Naikarra-Morijo road, 30km of which has been completed, as well as the ongoing construction of the Ololung’a-Ewaso Ng’iro road and the Ololung’a-Sogoo-Saptet-Mulot road, which is 60 per cent complete.
In Narok East, the President pointed to the ongoing construction of the 40km Suswa-Inkorionito-Naiekia-Enkare road.
The President also launched the 20km Ololung’a-Ewaso Ng’iro road in Narok South.
On last-mile electricity connectivity, the President said Sh2.8 billion will be used to connect 15,000 more households to power in the county. In the past three years, he explained, 14,000 households have been connected to power.
To connect more households to power, the President launched the construction of the Olposimoru Power Station in Narok West Constituency, a Sh62 million project that will light up 300 homes.
“We want to ensure that all Kenyans are connected to power to boost business and lift livelihoods,” he said.
In agriculture, the President commended Narok farmers for their contribution to enhancing the country’s food security.
“You grow maize, wheat and potatoes, and keep livestock. You are helping the county fight hunger,” he said.
President Ruto reminded farmers that the cost of fertiliser has now been reduced from Sh2,500 to Sh2,000 for a 50kg bag beginning September 2026, while the price of seed maize has been slashed by 50 per cent.
“This year we have had a challenge with drought. We are, therefore, offering support to farmers by reducing the cost of inputs,” he said.
On the national development programme in Narok County, the President said KSh15 billion has been set aside for affordable housing, modern markets, university and college student hostels.
Across the county, he added, the Government is building 17 markets to provide traders with a conducive environment in which to operate.
One of the new facilities is the Ololung’a Mama Mboga Modern Market in Narok South, which the President handed over.
On health, the President said the Social Health Authority (SHA) has made it possible for all Kenyans, irrespective of their economic status, to access quality healthcare.
In Narok County, he announced, 465,000 people have registered with SHA and called on more residents to elist.
“I urge you all to register so that you get access to the benefits that SHA offers,” President Ruto stated.
He said when Kenyans register with SHA, it enables the Government to hire enough doctors and provide adequate medicines and equipment.
The President hit out at a section of politicians whom he accused of seeking to reverse the gains made in the health sector through SHA, saying the new dispensation is far better than the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“They want us to go back to NHIF, which had registered 8 million people in close to 60 years, yet SHA has registered 32.5 million Kenyans in less than two years,” he said.
He reminded the country that under NHIF, patients used to wait for three months after registration to get treated. under SHA, he said, members are treated promptly upon registration and payment of premiums.
The President explained that those criticising SHA have not given Kenyans a better alternative and accused them of fighting transformative projects without offering better options.
In education, President Ruto stated that 20,000 more teachers will be hired by the end of the year, bringing the total number employed in four years to more than 120,000.
He said education reforms and substantial investment in the sector are ensuring that all children, irrespective of their economic background, have access to quality education.
“We want to ensure that all our children who join university, technical colleges and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) pursue their dreams regardless of the economic situation of their parents,” he said.
Local leaders commended President Ruto for ensuring that all regions are treated fairly in development and pledged to support his re-election.
In the past four years, Governor Ntutu said Narok has witnessed unprecedented development. He pointed out the many ongoing projects, including the Narok International Airport, will significantly change the face of the county.
Tongoyo said, at the current pace of development, “the journey to a first-world economy is unstoppable”.
“The residents of Narok are smart and know who is working for them. Come 2027, they will vote for you,” he stated.
On his part, Aramat expressed satisfaction with the development projects being undertaken in the region.
