Of perennial floods, drought and Northern's politics of the 'begging bowl'

A group of youth helped travelers to cross a flooded road at Dukanotu where a section of the Mombasa-Garissa highway was cut off by raging El Nino floodwaters. [Abdimalik Hajir, Standard]

The winds that swept across Kenya seldom whispered in the neglected corners of Northern Kenya and before devolution, this land bore the weight of silence, burdened by the shadow of historical marginalization. Roads vanished into dust trails denying passage to progress. Schools stood scarce and distant, leaving the youth yearning for the light of education. Hospitals were fleeting dreams, where the sick sought solace in the absence of adequate healthcare. Industries found refuge elsewhere, leaving the land's potential untapped. Agriculture struggled under the weight of neglect, denying sustenance to communities and livelihoods.

Politically, the voice of the North was but an echo in the chambers of power. Representation was a distant privilege, resulting in a meager share of national resources and attention. The nomadic spirits of pastoralist communities wandered, seeking recognition and support for their unique way of life.