By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 4 January 2026 - President William Ruto on Sunday used a thanksgiving service in Kerio Valley to project the government’s security record and link restored peace to his broader economic and political agenda, as the region emerges from decades of banditry and cattle rustling.
Addressing an interdenominational service at Chesombur grounds in Sigor, West Pokot County, the President said the return of calm in the Kerio Valley marked a turning point for an area that has endured insecurity for more than 30 years.
The event drew political and church leaders from West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Baringo, Samburu, Turkana and Laikipia counties, underscoring the regional significance of the security gains.
Ruto attributed the improved situation to sustained collaboration between security agencies, local communities and faith leaders, framing the outcome as evidence that consistency, planning and strategy can resolve long-running conflicts.
With Ruto publicly affirming his support for security officers, he also reinforced the administration’s hard line on law and order in volatile regions.
Beyond security, the President sought to reposition Kerio Valley as open for development, trade and investment.
He argued that peace had removed the main barrier to economic inclusion and urged residents to shift from what he termed a “culture of stock theft” to formal economic participation, even encouraging Kenyans to prepare to buy Kenya Pipeline Company shares when they are listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
At the same time, Ruto issued a firm warning to individuals still holding illegal firearms, directing them to surrender the weapons to police or church leaders.
He said the government would forcibly recover guns if they were not returned voluntarily, reiterating that only security officers should bear arms.
More from Kenya
Linking peace to tangible benefits, the President outlined state-funded development projects aimed at addressing historic marginalisation.
These include road construction, dams for irrigation and water supply, and expanded electricity connectivity.
He highlighted plans to use water from the Turkwel River to irrigate 50,000 acres in West Pokot and Turkana counties, part of a national target to add 2.5 million acres under irrigation, as well as a KSh 700 million investment to complete the Muruny Water Dam to ease water shortages in Kapenguria.
Ruto also used the platform to deliver a political message to leaders, urging issue-based competition and cooperation. He said effective leadership should be grounded in a track record, a clear plan and a credible path to implementation, while warning against siloed politics that undermine collective progress.
The President later inspected the Barpelo–Tot–Marich Pass road project, for which KSh15 billion has been allocated, noting that two contractors are working on separate sections to accelerate completion.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen echoed the President’s security stance, saying the government would intensify efforts to retrieve all illegal firearms, arguing that lasting peace is impossible while civilians remain armed.
Governors from the region, including Simon Kachapin (West Pokot), Jeremiah Lomorukai (Turkana), Wisely Rotich (Elgeyo-Marakwet) and Stephen Sang (Nandi), called for sustained cooperation to protect the fragile peace dividend. Lawmakers present praised the security operations, saying they had ended years of suffering caused by banditry and cattle rustling.
Taken together, the Kerio Valley visit allowed President Ruto to showcase security success, reinforce state authority, and tie stability to his development-first political narrative—an approach likely to feature prominently as the government seeks to consolidate support in previously marginalised regions.
