Orange Democratic Movement [ODM] leader Raila Odinga has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the government prioritises development projects in Narok County and the wider Rift Valley region.

Speaking on Thursday, March 6, 2025, during a public consultation in the county, Odinga emphasised that his nationwide engagements had brought to light several pressing concerns that needed urgent attention.

“This is part of my broader consultation process. I have already addressed the press in Kisii, and prior to that, I was in Nyanza, Western, Coast, and North Eastern. Today, I am here in Rift Valley, and from here, I will be heading back to Nairobi. This is my last protocol call, and I came to engage with my people from the Maa community. As the senator has already mentioned, representatives from different counties, including Nairobi, have gathered here to share their views candidly on the issues affecting them and the country at large.”

One of the primary concerns raised during the meeting was the adverse impact of climate change on the region.

Odinga noted that the Narok area, which heavily relies on livestock rearing, has been disproportionately affected by erratic weather patterns and explained that prolonged droughts have led to massive livestock losses, while seasonal flooding has displaced families and damaged infrastructure.

He called for a structured compensation programme to cushion affected families from the devastating economic losses incurred due to extreme weather events.

“The Mau Forest, which serves as a critical water tower for this region, is under immense pressure. The people here are pastoralists who depend on their livestock, and whenever drought strikes, they suffer immense losses. On the other hand, when floods come, homes are washed away, leading to further destruction. We need a structured mechanism that ensures adequate compensation in such scenarios.”

Odinga also decried the dire state of healthcare and infrastructure in Narok, criticising the slow implementation of the government’s Social Health Authority (SHA) initiative, arguing that it must be operationalised effectively to benefit all Kenyans.

Additionally, he highlighted concerns over the deplorable state of roads in the region, noting that most of them remain unpaved and become impassable during the rainy season.

“We must ensure that SHA works in favour of ordinary Kenyans. The people here have told me that healthcare remains a major challenge, and we want to see meaningful improvements in that sector. Similarly, the state of infrastructure is worrying. I have been informed that the roads here are in terrible condition. Most of them are mere earth roads, which become inaccessible when it rains, paralysing transport and economic activities.”

Devolution

On matters of devolution, Odinga lamented the inadequate funding allocated to county governments, stating that the reduction in allocations has hampered service delivery at the grassroots level.

He revealed that Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) had raised concerns over dwindling financial resources, making it difficult for them to execute development projects.

“This vast region is facing numerous challenges that must be addressed. Devolution, which was meant to empower counties, is being undermined by insufficient resources. MCAs are particularly worried because funding to county assemblies has been reduced, affecting their ability to implement crucial development initiatives. This issue, among others, will form the basis of our engagement with the government.”

Another key issue highlighted by Odinga was the deteriorating security situation in the region.

He pointed out that reports of abductions and inter-community conflicts had increased, further destabilising livelihoods, and urged the government to take swift action, particularly in resolving the ongoing clashes in Transmara, which he said were being fuelled by disputes over livestock.

“The issue of security is a serious concern here. People are being abducted in their own homes, and we have witnessed protests over these incidents. Today, I was in Kisii, where people urged me to ask the government to intervene in the clashes happening in Transmara over livestock disputes. We have called on the government to move with urgency to resolve these conflicts and ensure peace prevails among communities.”

Odinga concluded by stating that the people of Narok had entrusted him with the mandate to seek national unity and work towards a more cohesive country. He affirmed that his consultations had reinforced his resolve to continue advocating for the interests of ordinary Kenyans.

“My people have spoken, and they have given me their blessings to explore ways to unite the country. They have urged me to proceed, and I will do so with their full support.”

Ledama Ole Kina’s endorsement

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina also spoke during the event and echoed Odinga’s sentiments, expressing his community’s unwavering support for the opposition leader’s efforts.

He stated that the Maasai people had given Odinga their full backing, emphasising that they were ready to stand by him in his mission to hold the government accountable.

“We have given Baba our blessings so he can move forward and do what he knows is right. As his supporters, we will stand firm and ensure we support him fully. I want to demonstrate this—let’s see by a show of hands—should Baba continue leading us? Should he move forward or not? Baba will continue engaging with the government, and we are behind him all the way.”