A new era has dawned at the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) with the appointment of Moses Kipchumba as the Acting Managing Director. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-1)He replaces the outgoing boss, Sammy Naporos, whose tenure ends today, marking a significant transition for the parastatal that is central to the development of Kenya’s arid North Rift region.

The handover comes at a pivotal moment. KVDA has spent the last few years trying to scrub off the reputational stain of the multi-billion shilling Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal. Naporos, who took over in 2019 during the heat of that crisis, is credited with stabilizing the ship, but the baton now passes to Kipchumba to drive actual growth.

The Task Ahead

Kipchumba steps into a hot seat with a mandate that is as vast as the terrain KVDA covers. His in-tray is already overflowing with critical priorities:

• Reviving Stalled Projects: The authority is under pressure to finally deliver on irrigation projects in Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana counties, where drought remains an existential threat.
• Peace through Development: With banditry still a menace in the Kerio Valley, the state is banking on KVDA to provide economic alternatives to cattle rustling through agriculture.
• Resource Management: Managing the delicate water resources of the Turkwel and Kerio rivers amidst changing climate patterns.

Legacy of Stability

Staff at the Eldoret headquarters described the transition as smooth. "Naporos did the dirty work of cleaning up the compliance issues," said a senior manager who requested anonymity. "Kipchumba’s job is now to pour concrete and show the residents value for money."

The appointment has been welcomed by local leaders who have long agitated for a leadership that understands the "ground mechanics" of the region. As Kipchumba settles into the corner office at the KVDA Plaza, the eyes of 42 million Kenyans—and the Auditor General—will be watching closely.