President William Ruto’s government on Saturday, January 6, committed to construct a State Lodge in Turkwel, West Pokot County.
According to reports, the project will cost taxpayers Ksh230 million and will be undertaken by the national government in conjunction with the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA).
This was communicated by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo during a tour of the region.
In the event that was attended by West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin and KVDA Managing Director Sammy Naporos, it was explained that the State Lodge would open up the region.
Additionally, it was reported that blueprints for the projects were made 30 years ago but the building never took shape.
"We want KVDA to come forward and work with government to make sure that project comes to fruition,” Kachapin committed to supporting the project.
He further urged Naporos to make sure that he used his position at KVDA to channel more resources and funds to the region.
"We want a close working relationship with stakeholders to make sure by December we have the State Lodge,” Naporos promised.
Apart from building the Turkwel State Lodge, Omollo promised that Ruto’s government would be launching more development projects in West Pokot.
"We discussed ongoing development programs by the government, in partnership with the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), among them, irrigation, road infrastructure, and the rehabilitation of the Turkwel State Lodge," Omollo stated.
He added that the construction of the State Lodge would start in February.
Currently, Kenya has three State Houses in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru. Additionally, there are eight State Lodges.
The State Lodges are located in Sagana, Kisumu, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kitale, Rumuruti, Cherangany and Kisii.
