Kaptabuk: Residents of Kaptabuk in Pokot South County, West Pokot County, are set to benefit from improved access to government services following the official operationalisation of Kaptabuk Division. The new administrative unit, aimed at enhancing governance, security, and service delivery, was officially launched by Pokot South Member of Parliament, David Pkosing, alongside national government officials from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration led by the County Commissioner, David Saruni.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mr. Saruni emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring equitable access to services by bringing them closer to the people. He noted that residents had previously been forced to travel long distances at high cost to access essential services. 'The government is focused on ensuring no Kenyan is left behind in accessing services,' he stated.
Saruni attributed ongoing development in the region to the leadership of President William Ruto, citing improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, housing, and agriculture under the bottom-up transformation agenda. He highlighted the ongoing upgrading of the Kitale-Morpus road, part of the Kenya-South Sudan Link Road project, which is expected to boost regional trade and ease the transportation of goods and agricultural produce.
On healthcare, the County Commissioner emphasised the importance of registering for Social Health Insurance under the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that the scheme offers substantial coverage at a relatively low annual cost. Saruni also confirmed that the government continues to implement cash transfer programmes for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, children with disabilities, and senior citizens.
He issued a strong warning against the use of illicit brews, citing its negative impact on development and livelihoods. Saruni commended residents of Pokot South for rejecting illegal brews and urged local administrators to intensify enforcement efforts across the county. He called on residents to maintain peace and unity, stressing that a stable environment is key to development.
Mr. Pkosing welcomed the establishment of the division, describing it as a significant step towards improving service delivery in a previously underserved area. He urged residents to support the newly appointed Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) in the area and encouraged the officer to reside within the division to enhance accessibility.
Pokot South Deputy Commissioner Charles Akwanalo praised residents for maintaining peace and noted that the new administrative office would reduce the burden of travelling long distances for government services. The newly posted Assistant County Commissioner, Jackson Nabiki, pledged to serve all residents fairly. 'I am here to serve every member of this community equally, regardless of their background,' he said.
Residents welcomed the move, noting that it would ease access to essential services. Michael Krop, a resident, mentioned that the new division would save time and money previously spent travelling to distant administrative centres. Dr. Naomi Kendagor, an aspirant for the 2027 West Pokot Women Representative position, also commended the government for improving service delivery and responding to community needs.
The administrative office block for Kaptabuk Division, which will host both the Assistant County Commissioner and the area chief, was constructed using funds from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) for Pokot South Constituency.