Kenta charms Narok County voters with promise to boost agriculture

In a televised gubernatorial debate live on KBC Channel1 where his main rival was a no show, Narok County aspirant Moitalel Ole Kenta was keen to outline his economic plans should he assume office after August 9, polls.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) gubernatorial candidate who is the current Member of Parliament for Narok North said his main agenda will be ensuring livestock and crop farmers in the county increase their earnings by setting up local industries that will also accelerate the county’s economic advancement.

According to Kenta, farmers and livestock keepers in the county are currently being subjected to unfair prices by buyers outside the county, a situation which has seen many locals languish in poverty despite owning large tracts of land which are used for maize, wheat and barley farming.

In order to boost agricultural production, the ODM aspirant said his administration will ensure farmers in the county have access to locally produced certified seeds through contract farming, subsidize fertilizer and ensure farmers use modern farming equipment in order to maximize production and provide employment opportunities.

“As a county we will look for concessions to import fertilizer directly instead of passing through any other agency because that is what is killing us. We will also ensure we grow our own certified seeds because we are capable of doing that,” said Kenta.

Under his administration, Kenta has also promised to build a county milling corporation through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) that will provide ready market to local wheat, barley and maize farmers who are currently selling their produce to millers outside the county.

This besides construction of cold storage facilities and silos in order to cut on waste and boost local manufacturing capacity.

With the county being a famous a tourism destination, hosting many hotels and lodges, Kenta said construction of a local abattoir will ensure production of quality meat products which will then be sold directly to hoteliers thereby providing ready market to livestock keepers.

“I want my people to be fully food sufficient. I will ensure livestock is enhanced, get a market for the locals. I will ensure we have an abattoir. People neighbouring game reserves should reap maximum benefits,” he added.

Kenta also called for fencing of Maasai Mau forest that has suffered encroachment over the years. He said erection of electric fence around the forest will support the county as a tourism circuit.

Additionally Kenta has promised to equip hospitals in the six constituencies and make them fully functional besides increasing the number of personnel to ensure efficient service delivery.

Upon his election, Kenta said he will audit the payroll in order to reduce the huge wage bill and weed out ghost workers.