Former Cabinet Secretary and Presidential Adviser Moses Kuria has assured residents of Ol Kalou that ongoing national government projects in the constituency will continue despite the defeat of the ruling UDA candidate in last week's by-election.
Kuria said the outcome of the election would not affect the implementation of projects that are already underway, stressing that development should not be tied to political competition.
In a statement issued after the by-election, Kuria revealed that he had spoken to Member of Parliament-elect Kamau Ngotho to congratulate him on his victory and to assure him of the government's commitment to completing all planned projects in the constituency.
"As the person who was coordinating development projects in Ol Kalou on behalf of the government, I have assured Ngotho that none of the projects will stop."
Kuria listed a raft of infrastructure, education, water, health and agricultural initiatives that will continue without interruption.
Among the flagship projects is the construction of Nyandarua University, which he said will proceed as planned. He also assured residents that the tarmacking of the Ithagani-Nyaituga-Ngorika-Kanyiriti road and the Lake Ol Bolosat access road would continue.
The former Cabinet Secretary further said the Nairobi-Gilgil-Ol Kalou-Nyahururu railway line would maintain its operations, with daily cargo services and passenger trains operating every Tuesday and Friday.
He added that all 36 rural electrification projects currently underway would be completed, including the installation of electricity meters for households that have already been connected to the national grid.
Water connectivity projects being undertaken by the Central Rift Water Works Agency and the Ol Kalou Water Company will also continue, while beneficiaries of the government's clean cooking initiative are expected to receive refilled LPG cylinders through designated National Oil Company of Kenya outlets.
Kuria said agricultural programmes targeting farmers would remain on course, including the distribution of 100,000 avocado seedlings expected to position Ol Kalou farmers to begin exporting avocados to China within two years.
He also cited continued support for dairy farmers and beneficiaries of the NYOTA programme through milk cooling facilities, as well as the expansion of irrigation schemes covering 1,000 hectares under the Gwa Kiongo Dam project.
Blue Economy initiatives at Gwa Kiongo, Githunguri and Lake Ol Bolosat, including fishing boats provided to local communities, will also continue, he said.
According to Kuria, the government will also proceed with the completion of the Ol Kalou Land Registry, the issuance of title deeds in colonial villages such as Moa Farm, and the completion of the Mashujaa Wing at JM Kariuki Hospital.
Other projects set to continue include the construction of Ol Kalou Stadium, affordable housing developments, student hostels at Rurii TVET, the modernisation of Ol Kalou retail and wholesale markets, and Mirangine Market.
He also assured residents that ward-based digital hubs,
smartboards and laptops supplied to schools, and the Climate Workx youth
employment programme would remain operational until the expiry of
beneficiaries' contracts.
Kuria said the government's commitment to development transcends political affiliations, arguing that elections should not determine whether communities benefit from public investment.
"In a nutshell, both democracy and development will win because elections are not a matter of life and death," he said.
