Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has bypassed private contractors in a bold move to fast-track infrastructure development, partnering with the National Youth Service (NYS) to rehabilitate key ward roads. The Sh400 million partnership aims to open up rural feeder roads that have been rendered impassable by the recent El Niño rains.

Flagging off the heavy machinery in Moiben, the Governor, popularly known as "Koti Moja," termed the collaboration a "value-for-money" strategy. "We have seen contractors who take our money and do shoddy work that washes away in one season," Bii stated. "The NYS brings discipline, speed, and engineering precision. We are cutting out the middlemen."

Connecting the Breadbasket

The project targets 150 kilometers of road network critical for transporting maize and milk to markets. Farmers in Turbo and Ainabkoi have long complained that poor infrastructure eats into their profit margins.

• The Scope: The NYS engineering battalion will undertake grading, graveling, and the installation of culverts. The use of the Service’s own equipment significantly lowers the cost per kilometer compared to commercial rates.
• Youth Employment: As part of the deal, 300 local youths will be engaged as casual laborers, injecting money directly into the village economy.

This model, if successful, could set a precedent for other counties struggling with pending bills and rogue contractors, proving that inter-governmental partnerships might be the future of devolution.