Ntutu sworn in as second Narok governor, gives 100 days promise

Former Labour CAS Patrick ole Ntutu took oath as the second of governor of Narok on Thursday, succeeding Samuel Tunai.

Ntutu was installed together with Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech in a ceremony witnessed by Tunai and outgoing deputy governor Evelyne Aruasa, among other guests.

The swearing-in ceremony, presided over by High Court judge Chacha Mwita, was conducted at William ole Ntimama stadium.

The event was attended by the incoming MPs Ken Aramat (Narok East), Kitilai Ntutu (Narok South), Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West), Johana Ng'eno (Emurua Dikirr) and Rebecca Tonkei (woman representative).

Outgoing Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella, outgoing MP nominated MP David Sankok, outgoing woman representative Soipan Kudate were also present.

Ntutu won the seat for the United Democratic Alliance.

In his inaugural speech, Ntutu expressed commitment to improving the livelihood of the people in the next 100 days by ensuring that civil servants deliver services.

He said he will personally move in all the villages of the county to identify the priority for development.

Some of his top priorities include fostering unity and cohesion in the county, promoting modern agriculture, ensuring easy access to clean water, ensuring quality and affordable health care and social protection, improving infrastructure and youth empowerment.

The governor also at the same time promised to push for legislation in the county assembly to introduce the Ward Development Fund so as to bring services to the people.

“The Ward Development Fund will be managed by the Members of County Assembly.  They will put the money into boosting the welfare of their people in the grassroots,” he said.

Ntutu also used the occasion to extend an olive branch to his opponent, former Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta, saying his administration acknowledged that he too had a great manifesto that would help the people of Narok.

“The campaign season is now over; it is time we rolled our sleeves to deliver services as we promised to the people of Narok. It is time we united. I do not want to hear of any political differences,” Ntutu said.

On his part, Koech thanked the electorate of Narok county for turning out peacefully and in large numbers during the just-concluded elections.

“The men and women who woke up early and stood patiently in long queues to overwhelmingly vote for us are the real heroes of our victory. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your vote of confidence in our new administration,” he said.

He added that the county is afflicted by bleak prospects of seemingly endless circles of poverty and the community appears to have lost hope for a better future.

“It is a county facing very high mother and child mortality rates, impassable rural roads and makeshift market shelters mushrooming everywhere. It is my humble submission today we have made a vital and necessary movement towards achieving what we set out to do,” the deputy governor said.

He said their plans and projects are based on a firm commitment to the principles of equity, inclusion and fair play.

“We will stand firmly on the threshold of a new dimension, a fresh approach and a re-engineered vision for Narok. During the period that we shall be in office, we will lay a firm foundation for sustainable development of our county. Ours is a transformational development agenda carefully crafted to deliver results within set timelines,” he said.

Edited by Henry Makori