WEST POKOT — Residents across West Pokot County have identified water infrastructure, employment opportunities, and improved public services as their highest priorities for the upcoming 2027/2028 County Annual Development Plan (C-ADP). The demands emerged from a series of public participation forums conducted across the county’s six sub-counties Pokot Central, Pokot North, Pokot South, Kacheliba, Kipkomo, and West Pokot which ran from August 17 to August 24, 2026.
Access to reliable water emerged as the most critical concern. Community members highlighted that acute shortages severely impact households, livestock, and local agriculture. Speaking at Mtelo Hall in Kapenguria, Agriculture CECM Wilfred Long’uronyang encouraged proactive public engagement, emphasizing that community input is vital to shaping the county’s developmental agenda. Residents like Mark Lokoma of Mnagei Ward urged county officials to focus on high-impact projects, specifically pointing to water, school infrastructure, and teacher deployments as key drivers for long-term growth.
Youth representatives focused heavily on economic inclusion, requesting dedicated investments in skills development and the digital economy. Youth representative Moses Kibet called for the establishment of equipped innovation hubs and empowerment centers to help young people secure jobs in an evolving market. Beyond water and employment, participants urged the local administration to prioritize healthcare facilities, road networks, bridges, and market infrastructure.
County Director of Planning and Budget Isaac Ritakou reassured the public that gathered proposals will feed directly into the draft 2027/2028 C-ADP, as required by Kenya’s constitutional public finance framework. While budgeting constraints remain a factor, residents made it clear that resolving persistent water scarcity and creating youth jobs must anchor the county’s upcoming financial plan.
