Preparations are in top gear ahead of President William Ruto’s three-day development tour of Bomet County next week.
Security officers have stepped up surveillance in areas and projects expected to be visited by the President across Bomet Central, Konoin, and Chepalungu constituencies.
Bomet County Commissioner Caroline Nzwili, accompanied by Governor Hillary Barchok, inspected Kapkoros Level-4 Sub-County Hospital in Bomet Central, which recently underwent an upgrade and is scheduled for official commissioning by the President.
The facility now features a new multi-storey building housing patient wards and a maternity wing.
Locals expressed relief that the upgrade from a health centre to a Level-4 hospital will bring health services closer to home.
“We can’t wait for its commissioning next week. For a long time, we have relied on Longisa and Tenwek hospitals, which drained us financially due to travel costs,” said Josphat Langat, a resident of Kiplokyi.
Besides Kapkoros Hospital, Nzwili led a security team to inspect Konoin Technical Training Institute, where the President is expected to unveil new technology training equipment.
Bomet County Assembly Speaker Cosmas Korir confirmed that President Ruto will also preside over the opening of the new ultra-modern assembly chambers and address MCAs from the floor of the house.
“This is a historic moment. The President will address the assembly after officially opening the new chambers, and we are eagerly anticipating the day,” Korir said.
He urged residents to warmly welcome the Head of State during his extended tour of Bomet and neighboring Kericho County.
“Besides launching development projects, we expect more development pledges, and we have every reason to welcome the President,” the Speaker added.
The opening of the Dr Joyce Laboso Mother and Child Hospital is expected to be a key highlight of the tour. Once operational, the facility will ease pressure on Longisa County Referral Hospital and improve maternal.
However, coming as political leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, local political rivalries are expected to surface during the tour.
The Bomet Senate race has already generated intense interest, drawing heavyweights including Governor Barchok, incumbent Senator Hillary Sigei, and the daughter of the late Minister Kipkalya Kones.
The heated contest has sparked concern that local politics might overshadow the presidential tour. However, local leaders have appealed for calm.
“Let us ensure the tour is peaceful and avoid heckling,” urged Bildad Cheruiyot, an MCA aspirant.
Previous visits by Ruto to the region have seen political confrontations, leaving local leaders anxious over potential disruptions.
Beyond the political undertones, unresolved development promises loom over the visit, key among them the stalled Bomet-Mulot (Boito) water project.
Promised during Ruto’s tenure as Deputy President and initially slated for construction in 2017, the project is yet to take off, leaving residents struggling with severe water shortages.
The persistent water crisis in Bomet town remains a priority issue for residents demanding answers.
“The President should give a clear timeline on the water project he promised years ago,” said local resident Patrick Kipkoech, attributing the countywide water crisis to delay in executing the project.
“Our leaders must demand action instead of taking a backseat while residents suffer,” Kipkoech added.
