Narok,

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

KNA by Ann Salaton

Narok governor Patrick Ole Ntutu has called on the residents to ignore politicians who incite them to oppose major development projects in the county.

 Ntutu spoke at Limanet grounds in Narok central sub-county, where the government intends to build a Sh500 million industrial park in this financial year.

The move to build the industrial park at Limanet ground has been opposed by a section of the Purko clan who allege that the ground belongs to the clan and that a formal agreement should be written before the park is established.

The opposing side led by former gubernatorial aspirant Moitalel Ole Kenta has also been pushing the county government to do thorough public participation, before handing over the land to the government for development.

The Limanet land which is over 1000 acres was set apart for future development by the Purko clan back in 1972.

However, Ntutu who hails from the Purko clan said the development programmes on the land are meant to raise the living standards for the Maa community, which has lagged behind in development matters for a long time.

“I also originate from the Purko clan and I understand what is good for our people. We need the industrial park and a milk processing factory that will spur development in this area,” said the governor.

“President William Dr. William Ruto will soon be in the county to launch construction of an industrial park in this area. Our business is to implement development projects and we are not interested in those who oppose every good thing that we do,” he said.

The industrial park, he said, is expected to create job opportunities for over 2, 000 people as well as provide a market for the farmers’ produce, hence boosting the livelihoods of the people.

The governor noted that the Maa community was pleased with the government of the day for implementing numerous projects on their land and giving them the Amboseli National Park to manage.

The governor spoke in the presence of Narok North Member of Parliament Agnes Pareiyo, Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde, and a host of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs)

On her part, Pareiyo, who was elected on a Jubilee ticket rallied the people to support the government of the day so as to spur development in the area.

She announced that she had shifted her allegiance to President Ruto because he was mindful of the Maa community and had promised to uplift the living standards of the low-income earning people.

On his part, Masinde warned leaders opposing the construction of industrial park and milk processing plants saying that they will not allow politics to distract the government’s agenda.

“Nobody will be allowed to hold a meeting on this land, with the intention of opposing government projects. The project intended to be established in the area will benefit all Kenyans and not a specific group of people,” said Masinde.

Narok North ODM chairman Maranka Ole Otuni said the Maasai community have been in cold for a long time and it is time for them to join the government.

“We have not been supporting the government but this time round we have agreed to make a U-turn and back the Kenya Kwanza administration,” Otuni said.

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