Residents up in arms over Ruto's stalled goodies

The incomplete Kerenga airstrip in Kericho County. [Nikko Tanui, Standard]

Residents of Kericho have raised alarm over the slow implementation of President William Ruto's promise of a project windfall that was made during last year's Mashujaa Day celebrations.

The construction of Kerenga airstrip and the renovation of Kericho Green Stadium, now renamed Kiprugut Chumo Stadium, remain unfinished nine months later.

The request for the refurbishment of Kerenga airstrip came from the National Celebration Technical Committee during their visit to Kericho on June 15 last year.

When Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen appeared before the Senate on March 19, he revealed that the project had already consumed Sh55.4 million.

According to Mr Murkomen, Sh45.4 million was spent on clearing, stripping, and grading the runway, as well as related drainage works, including the construction of an aircraft-holding apron.

An additional Sh10 million was spent to construct an open-steel frame shed.

“The works were completed on October 18, 2023. The works were completed in compliance with the bill of quantities, specifications, and drawings. The project manager’s successive approvals were done up until the completion of the works," he said.

The Kenya Defence Forces were contracted for the works.

However, a site visit by The Standard yesterday revealed that bushes and grass are gradually reclaiming the two-kilometer runway. The only indicators of an airstrip are the tiny apron and steel shed.

The airstrip is now a habitat for grey-crowned cranes and other bird species, with cattle owners using the ground as a grazing field.

Signs of trouble emerged as early as October 12 when a military plane flying First Lady Rachel Ruto to Kericho for the International Day of the Girl Child struggled to take off after heavy rains soaked the gravel runway.

Murkomen said the airstrip project will resume once his ministry acquires land from Ekaterra Tea Company. The government, he revealed, is eyeing 50-100 acres for the project.

“The ministry is negotiating with the landowners to sell the land to the Kenya Airports Authority for the development of the airstrip. Even when we developed it, it was with the understanding that we would have to engage them to complete the works," Murkomen said.

He added that the acquisition of the land would have to be on concessional terms since Ekaterra (now Browns Plc) holds the land on lease from the  Kericho County Government.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, however, called for transparency on the project.

“It laughable what the CS oversaw during the construction there is nothing worth mentioning. He said the government spent Sh55.4 million on the project but the substandard works shouldn’t be more than Sh5 million. He must show us where the money went,” Mr Cherargei said.

At the Kiprugut Chumo Stadium, renovation works outside the playground remain incomplete. The contractor did not finish works on the perimeter wall, parking area, public toilets, and other facilities.