OL KALOU, Kenya- Former Presidential Advisor Moses Kuria has assured residents of Ol Kalou that ongoing national government development projects will proceed uninterrupted despite the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) losing the constituency in last week’s parliamentary by-election.
In a statement issued after the election, Kuria said the outcome would not affect the implementation of projects already planned or underway, maintaining that development should never be linked to political competition.
He disclosed that he had spoken to Member of Parliament-elect Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, popularly known as Kamau Ngotho, to congratulate him on his victory and reaffirm the government’s commitment to completing projects in the constituency.
“As the person who was coordinating development projects in Ol Kalou on behalf of the government, I have assured Ngotho that none of the projects will stop,” Kuria said.
Infrastructure and education projects to continue
Kuria said several flagship infrastructure projects would proceed as scheduled, including the construction of Nyandarua University and the tarmacking of the Ithagani–Nyaituga–Ngorika–Kanyiriti Road as well as the Lake Ol Bolosat access road.
He added that operations on the Nairobi–Gilgil–Ol Kalou–Nyahururu railway line would continue, with daily cargo services and passenger trains operating every Tuesday and Friday.
The Presidential Adviser also confirmed that all 36 rural electrification projects currently underway would be completed, including the installation of electricity meters for households already connected to the national grid.
Water, agriculture and healthcare initiatives
According to Kuria, water connectivity projects being implemented by the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency and Ol Kalou Water and Sanitation Company will continue without interruption.
He also said beneficiaries of the government’s clean cooking programme would continue receiving refilled liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders through designated National Oil Corporation of Kenya outlets.
In the agriculture sector, Kuria said the government would distribute 100,000 avocado seedlings, with the aim of enabling farmers in Ol Kalou to access export markets, including China, within two years.
He added that dairy farmers would continue benefiting from milk cooling facilities under the NYOTA programme, while irrigation development covering 1,000 hectares under the Gwa Kiongo Dam project would also proceed.
Blue Economy initiatives at Gwa Kiongo, Githunguri and Lake Ol Bolosat, including the provision of fishing boats to local communities, will also remain on course, he said.
Markets, housing and youth programmes
Kuria further announced that the government would complete the Ol Kalou Land Registry, continue issuing title deeds in colonial settlement areas such as Moa Farm, and finish the Mashujaa Wing at JM Kariuki Hospital.
Other projects earmarked for completion include:
- Construction of Ol Kalou Stadium.
- Affordable housing developments.
- Student hostels at Rurii TVET.
- Modernisation of Ol Kalou Retail Market, Ol Kalou Wholesale Market, and Mirangine Market.
- Establishment of ward-based digital hubs.
- Distribution of smartboards and laptops to schools.
- Continued implementation of the Climate Workx youth employment programme until existing contracts expire.
Development beyond politics
Kuria maintained that public development projects should benefit all citizens regardless of political affiliation, arguing that election outcomes should not determine whether communities receive government investment.
“In a nutshell, both democracy and development will win because elections are not a matter of life and death,” he said.