President William Ruto Speaking during an interdenominational service held at Chesombur Grounds in Sigor, West Pokot County on January 4, 2025. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva
President William Ruto on Sunday joined residents of the Kerio Valley in a thanksgiving service to celebrate the restoration of peace in a region that has endured decades of deadly banditry and cattle rustling.
Speaking during an interdenominational service held at Chesombur Grounds in Sigor, West Pokot County, the President said the return of calm marked a historic turning point for communities that have lived under the shadow of insecurity for more than 30 years.
“I am happy that today in the Kerio Valley we are listening to testimonies of peace,” President Ruto said, attributing the gains to close collaboration between security agencies, local communities, church leaders and other partners. He assured security officers of continued government support as they carry out their mandate.
The service brought together political and religious leaders from West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Baringo, Samburu, Turkana and Laikipia counties, reflecting the regional nature of both the conflict and the peace efforts.
President Ruto noted that consistency, proper planning and clear security strategies had helped stabilise the volatile region, opening it up for development, trade and investment. He urged residents to embrace lawful economic activities and take advantage of emerging opportunities, including the planned listing of Kenya Pipeline Company shares at the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
“Now you must change from the culture of stock theft to trading at the stock exchange,” he said.
At the same time, the President issued a stern warning to individuals still holding illegal firearms, directing them to surrender the weapons to the police or through church leaders. He cautioned that the government would forcibly recover guns that are not voluntarily returned.
“Only security officers are entitled to have guns. Herders should use sticks to look after their animals, not firearms,” President Ruto said.
With peace taking root, the government has rolled out major development programmes to address years of marginalisation caused by insecurity. The President highlighted infrastructure projects aimed at opening up the region, including roads, dams, electricity connectivity and irrigation schemes.
He announced plans to utilise water from the Turkwel River to irrigate 50,000 acres of land in West Pokot and Turkana counties, part of a broader national target to bring an additional 2.5 million acres under irrigation. He also revealed that KSh700 million is being spent to complete the Muruny Water Dam to ease water shortages in Kapenguria town and surrounding areas.
President Ruto urged leaders to practise issue-based and progressive politics, emphasising that leadership should be anchored on track records, clear plans and teamwork.
“Competition should be about ideas and agenda. As leaders, we must subordinate our personal interests to those of the people who elected us,” he said.
Later, the President inspected ongoing works on the Barpelo–Tot–Marich Pass road, noting that KSh15 billion has been allocated for the project, which is being implemented by two contractors on different sections.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reiterated the government’s commitment to disarmament, saying lasting peace would only be achieved once all illegal firearms are recovered.
Regional governors and MPs present commended the security agencies for restoring peace and called for sustained efforts to safeguard the hard-won stability for the prosperity of the Kerio Valley.
