Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto Sunday celebrated a major peace milestone in the troubled Kerio Valley, declaring the region open for development after decades of deadly banditry and cattle rustling.The President joined residents for an interdenominational thanksgiving service at Chesombur grounds in Sigor, West Pokot County, where he said sustained security operations and cooperation with local communities had restored calm along the Kerio Valley corridor.
Leaders from West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Baringo, Samburu, Turkana and Laikipia counties attended the service, alongside church leaders and senior government officials.
“I am happy that in the Kerio Valley today, we are listening to testimonies of peace,” Ruto said, crediting security officers, religious leaders and community members for working together to end a conflict that had plagued the region for more than 30 years.
He assured security agencies of continued government support, noting that consistency, planning and strategy had been key to stabilising the area.
With peace taking hold, the President said the region was now ready for development, trade and investment, urging residents to embrace lawful economic activities.
“Now, you must change from the culture of stock theft to trading at the stock exchange,” he said, encouraging Kenyans to prepare to buy Kenya Pipeline Company shares when they are listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange in the coming months.
At the same time, Ruto issued a firm warning to individuals still holding illegal firearms, directing them to surrender the weapons to the police or church leaders.
“Only security officers are entitled to have guns. Herders should use sticks to look after their animals and not guns,” he said, adding that the government would move decisively to recover any remaining illegal firearms.
The President said the restoration of peace had allowed the government to roll out long-delayed development projects in the once-marginalised region. He outlined plans to improve infrastructure, including roads, dams, irrigation schemes and electricity connections.
“We will start by using water from the Turkwel River to irrigate 50,000 acres of land in West Pokot and Turkana counties,” he said, adding that nationally the government aims to bring an additional 2.5 million acres under irrigation.
He also said the government is spending Sh700 million to complete the Muruny Water Dam to address water shortages in Kapenguria town and its surroundings.
Ruto further urged political leaders to focus on ideas and delivery rather than division, saying leadership should be anchored on a track record, clear plans and teamwork.
Later, the President inspected construction works on the Barpelo-Tot-Marich Pass road, for which Sh15 billion has been allocated, with two contractors currently working on different sections.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government would not relent in efforts to retrieve all illegal firearms.
“Lasting peace cannot be achieved if guns remain in the hands of civilians,” Murkomen said.
Governors from the region and MPs present called for sustained collaboration to protect the peace gains, saying stability was key to unlocking the Kerio Valley’s economic potential.
