Kalenjin Leaders Have Let Down the Kalenjin Community – Benson Cheserek Speaks Out
Published by Kelvin Kibet | July 15, 2025
In a brutally honest assessment, Benson Cheserek, a Kenyan-born U.S.-based politician and former U.S. Army Special Operations officer, has sharply criticized Kalenjin leaders for failing to bring tangible development to their counties despite decades of opportunities to learn from the United States.
Speaking after the Gotabgaa International Conference 2025, which was recently held in Alabama, Cheserek called out hypocrisy and empty benchmarking trips that yield no real transformation.
“The Kalenjin community leaders have led the Kalenjin community down,” said Cheserek. “They come to the U.S. to benchmark every year, but return with nothing no plans, no development, just politics.”
Leaders Accused of Failing After 20 Years of Benchmarking
Cheserek noted that for the past 20 years, Kalenjin leaders have consistently been invited to the Gotabgaa diaspora summit, a platform designed to expose them to best global practices in governance, health, tourism, and agriculture.
“Even President William Ruto has attended Gotabgaa. But nothing ever changes when they return to Kenya.”
From cancer centers in Houston to dairies in Ohio, and tourism models like San Antonio River Walk, leaders have been taken on comprehensive learning tours. Yet, counties like Uasin Gishu, Bomet, and Elgeyo Marakwet remain stagnant.
“We took Mandago and Isaac Ruto to see innovations in Texas and Ohio. Still, our dairy industry in Eldoret is behind.”
Rigathi Gachagua Visit Sparks Double Standards
Benson Cheserek questioned why Kalenjin leaders criticized Rigathi Gachagua for visiting the U.S., despite his private meeting with the Kikuyu community.
“Why are they mad at Gachagua, yet for 20 years they’ve been doing the same—coming to America, meeting people, learning nothing, and going back empty?”
According to Cheserek, Kikuyu leaders like Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata visit the U.S., learn, and implement projects back home—unlike Kalenjin leaders who turn benchmarking into vacation trips.
“Irungu Kang’ata is bringing medical tourism to Murang’a. We have Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, and no development plan.”
North Rift Potential Wasted
Despite being among the wealthiest regions in Kenya, North Rift counties have failed to leverage their vast agricultural and institutional potential.
“We showed them food processing plants in California, maize processing in Iowa, and industrial parks in Wisconsin. Still, they’ve implemented nothing.”
Cheserek emphasized that NOREB (North Rift Economic Bloc) has failed to turn plans into action. He called out Members of Parliament and county governments for engaging in shallow politics and weekend rallies, instead of championing development.
A Warning Against Demeaning Political Discourse
Cheserek also decried the behavior of certain female leaders who, he said, reduce public discourse to sensationalism instead of championing issues like girls’ scholarships or education reforms.
“Instead of asking how many girls get scholarships, you ask ‘mwanaume ananenda roundi ngapi’? This is the quality of our leadership?”
Final Call: Stop Blaming, Start Building
Cheserek closed with a call for honest introspection among Kalenjin politicians. He urged them to shift focus from blame and gossip to building strong institutions, infrastructure, and economic resilience in the North Rift.
“Kalenjin leaders, you are a letdown to your community. Stop wasting time discussing Kikuyus. Focus on making North Rift one of the best places to live in Kenya.”
👤 About Benson Cheserek
Benson Cheserek is a U.S.-based Kenyan politician, retired U.S. Army Special Operations veteran, and a longtime advocate for diaspora-driven development in Kenya.
