Kindiki: North Eastern will not be left behind in development

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addresses residents during the Wajir County Economic Empowerment program at Ohahey Grounds in Wajir East. [DPCS]

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured residents of North Eastern that the Kenya Kwanza administration will not sideline the region in national development projects.

Speaking on Saturday at Ohahey Grounds in Wajir East during the Wajir County Economic Empowerment program, Kindiki stressed that the people of Northern Kenya deserve equal treatment.

“We are one country. We do not need discrimination of any nature, and this is the government that will ensure we have unity as a nation,” he said.

The Deputy President noted that President William Ruto’s administration has demonstrated commitment by implementing the proclamation that removed discriminatory vetting requirements for acquiring national identification cards.

 He said the previous vetting process denied residents of Northern Kenya and other border counties access to IDs and other citizenship documents.

“The President came here, at this very ground, in February, and issued a proclamation to remove such discriminatory policies, including lengthy vetting procedures. In the past, youths from Wajir and other parts of North Eastern went through long, unfair processes to acquire IDs,” he explained.

Kindiki outlined key development projects being undertaken by the government, including the 750-kilometre road network connecting Isiolo, Wajir and Mandera counties.

“We are on course in implementing the promises we made to all Kenyans, including this region. The road network connecting Mandera, Ramu, Garre, Elwak, Kotulo, Tarbaj, Wajir, Samata, Habaswein, Modogashe and Kulamawe to Isiolo is under construction. When the President mentioned the road, people thought it was a joke,” he said.

He added that the roads linking the three counties form the longest stretch ever built by any government since independence.

At the same time, Kindiki said the government is expanding electricity connectivity to cover unserved areas.

One of the flagship projects is the hybrid electricity generation program, which combines solar and diesel power to address shortages in the North Eastern region. Plants are under construction in Merti in Isiolo County, Eldas and Habaswein in Wajir County, and Elwak in Mandera County.

Kindiki also reiterated that the government is building eight modern fresh produce markets in Wajir County, including in Elwak, Eldas and Merti.

Other projects include affordable housing initiatives and the construction of hostels for Wajir East TVET, Wajir KMTC campus and Tarbaj Teachers Training College.

Leaders present included Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, who is also chairman of the Council of Governors, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Kitutu Chache North MP Japhet Nyakundi.

Wajir County Woman Representative Fatuma Abdi Jehow, Dadaab MP Farah Maalim, Lafey MP Mohammed Adan, Eldas MP Adan Keynan, Tarbaj MP Hussein Barre, Mandera Woman Representative Umul Ker Kassim, Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe, Taveta MP John Bwire and several Wajir MCAs were also present.