Ruto announces multi-billion development projects to transform Turkana

President William Ruto has announced a multi-billion shilling development plan for Turkana County, saying it is time to end the region’s long history of marginalisation.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, where he hosted grassroots leaders from Turkana, Ruto outlined infrastructure, health, agriculture, education, and energy projects worth more than Sh10.7 billion aimed at accelerating the county’s growth.

At the heart of the transformation is the complete overhaul of the Maili Tisa-Kitale-Kainuk-Lokichar road.

Ruto described the project as a lifeline that will open up Turkana to greater opportunities and markets across the country.

“For far too long, Turkana County’s progress has been held back, leaving it to lag behind other regions of our nation,” he said.

To boost energy access, he said the government is rolling out a Sh2.3 billion rural electrification project, expected to power households, businesses, and institutions across the vast county.

Sports and youth development, he stated, will also benefit from the construction of a Sh900 million modern stadium in Lodwar already underway.

On food security, Ruto revealed a Sh2.5 billion expansion of the Turkwel Irrigation Scheme.

This will bring more than 100,000 acres of land under cultivation and improve livelihoods through commercial farming.

Other key interventions include the construction of two modern fish markets worth Sh700 million and the upgrading and equipping of Lodwar County Referral Hospital.

Also included in the plan is a Sh2.3 billion student hostel programme.

According to Ruto, this will provide safe and decent housing for learners in universities and colleges.

In his address, the Head of State also urged leaders from the county to mobilise residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA).

He noted that this was the only way to guarantee affordable and quality healthcare for every household.