By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, August 26, 2026 - President William Ruto has stepped up development commitments in Emurua Dikirr, Narok County, announcing a Sh1.2 billion university, new road projects, electricity connections and modern trading facilities as part of a wider push to open up the constituency to economic opportunities.
During his visit to the area on Wednesday, August 26, the President inspected the ongoing construction of the Emurua Dikirr Modern Market, which is expected to provide a more organised trading environment for local businesses.
Ruto said the market was part of a wider government programme to establish modern trading facilities across Narok County, with 17 markets currently planned or under construction.
He said the facilities were intended to move small traders from informal trading spaces into better-equipped premises with access to basic services.
“The women should move from the dust and rain into a market with electricity, water, sanitation, an ICT hub, a cold room and storage facilities,” Ruto said, explaining the government’s vision for the modern markets.
The President said the Emurua Dikirr market was nearing completion and promised to return for its formal handover once the remaining works were finished.
But the market formed only part of the development package announced during the visit.
Ruto confirmed that Sh1.2 billion had been allocated for the construction of a university in Emurua Dikirr, which will be named after the late area MP Johana Ng’eno. The institution is expected to serve students from Emurua Dikirr, Narok and other parts of the country.
“Today I have brought you Sh1.2 billion to build the university in Emurua Dikirr, which will be named after our brother Johana Ng’eno,” Ruto said.
The President said the money would finance key infrastructure, including tuition facilities, laboratories, administration offices and student hostels.
He also announced Sh180 million for the construction of student accommodation linked to the Trans Mara East Kenya Medical Training College, adding another layer to the education infrastructure being developed in the constituency.
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Road connectivity was another major component of the President’s announcement.
Ruto said the government had moved away from plans to simply improve the existing low-volume seal road and would instead upgrade it to a Class B road, linking Emurua Dikirr to the wider regional road network.
“I have allocated money for the construction of a new international Class B road,” he said, adding that construction would be launched in October.
The proposed route is expected to connect Salgaa, Chebole, Abosi and Shartuka before linking Emurua Dikirr with the wider network towards Narok and neighbouring regions.
Ruto said the improved road network would help residents access markets and connect the constituency more efficiently with other parts of Kenya.
“If we want to remove poverty and expand employment opportunities, we must have a university here, establish markets, build this road and connect electricity,” he said.
The electricity component is equally significant. The President has announced that Sh2.8 billion will be used to connect an additional 15,000 households in Narok County to electricity, building on about 14,000 connections made over the past three years.
Ruto, however, framed his visit primarily around development, telling residents that government projects should reach every part of the country regardless of political affiliation.