‘We’re demanding our share’ – Bomet Governor accuses Ruto’s gov’t of neglecting county

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok is up in arms about what he terms as a neglect of the county by the national government.

Addressing the press on Monday, October 30, the county boss claimed the national government was using the county as a political battleground instead of development.

According to the governor, Bomet has only received Ksh9 million capitation from the national government since President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government ascended to power a year ago.

He noted that the region was yet to benefit from key state projects despite overwhelmingly voting for Ruto in the last election.

“The people of Bomet voted overwhelmingly for this government. In terms of percentage turnout and votes that went to the President, I think we were leading in the country. So as much as we want to be very silent about shares, what we are demanding is our share.

“Every day I answer very difficult questions from the residents of Bomet. I think the only money we have received is around Ksh9 million for the last one year. Check the distribution of the funds that are going to roads, billions are going to other areas. Does it mean we are a bush? But even though we are living in a forest I think we also have rights. Bomet should not be a playground for politics but when it comes to development we take it elsewhere,” Barchok stated.

The county chief noted that Bomet residents were not happy with the status quo.

“We will not take it kindly. I want to tell anyone who cares to listen that the residents of Bomet are not happy and the governor is also not happy,” he said.

“I think it’s high time that everybody takes responsibility for the duty they have been assigned to do by the residents of Bomet and the voters of the Republic of Kenya because I can not keep answering questions that I don’t have answers. When we are allocated zero what should I tell my people? That we are not anywhere on the map of Kenya? I don’t understand.”

Keep off Bomet

While welcoming the Kenya Kwanza leadership to initiate development projects in Bomet, Governor Barchok urged those seeking to play politics to keep off the county.

“I think to be fair to the people of Kenya and the people of Bomet, please anyone who has been given a ministry, Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries be fair to us. I want to tell visitors that we will be receiving in future when you are coming to this county come with a proper message.

“Don’t come and play politics in Bomet. We will not allow that. Come with a development agenda, and tell us what you are doing for the people of Bomet but politics wait until 2027 then we can meet in the field. We will not allow anyone to come and politick in Bomet and if you don’t have any other business apart from the politics don’t come,” he concluded.