Public policy analyst Mohamed A. Hussein./HANDOUT
As President Dr William Ruto's convoy cruises over the newly paved streets of major urban centres in NEP, the view from the tinted windows of power is undeniably attractive.
High-profile project commissions, smiling political elites hugging each other “for the love of the president" and enthusiastic contractors cutting ribbons paint an enticing picture of a region finally on the move, reaping the benefits of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Mr President, beneath the surface of what many residents may view as this euphoria, NEP is still struggling with deep development challenges. The glittering infrastructure projects and what critics describe as wealth circulating among a small circle of politically connected elites and local contractors risk becoming a cosmetic facade that masks longstanding economic and social difficulties. For many residents, the structural marginalisation that has defined the region since independence remains a painful reality.
Your Excellency, the County Competitiveness Index 2024 Report indicates that Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties continue to lag behind in several development indicators. The report notes challenges in infrastructure, human capital and governance, factors that may affect competitiveness and economic development. Imagine a vast region with a large population and only one public university, Garissa University, which many residents believe remains underfunded. Compare this with the Nyanza, Eastern, Central and Rift Valley regions. How many universities have been established under county names in those regions? Imagine a region far from the centre with no Level 6 referral hospital. Imagine a region without a civil international airport.
Mr President: why is the region’s economic backbone not receiving the level of attention many residents believe it deserves? The livestock sector illustrates what many see as the gap between government rhetoric and reality. While other sectors have dedicated institutions and boards, many stakeholders in the livestock sector continue to call for stronger support and investment. Where is the earmarked Livestock and Livestock Products Marketing Board? Has it been fully operationalised? Has it received adequate funding? Why not revamp the only Livestock Training Institute in the region and consider elevating it to university college status? The region needs state-of-the-art abattoirs, investment in value chains, structured disease-free zones, reliable pasture management systems, mega water dams and pans, irrigation schemes and a guaranteed livestock off-take programme that can help shield farmers from recurring droughts and improve food security.
Mr President, we acknowledge that you opposed the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, which ushered in devolution. This new dispensation has significantly benefited counties in the NEP region. The positive impact of devolved funds is evident in recent Gross County Product reports, although many believe more can still be done by county governments. However, concerns remain about economic stagnation linked to the continued closure and heavy regulation of some official border points with Somalia and Ethiopia.
Many business people argue that these restrictions have affected local commerce and regional integration. Given the opportunity, this region can contribute significantly to the country's food security and economic growth. Open up the border points through properly managed one-stop border posts and allow the region to grow economically. We urge the government to explore ways of legalising, regulating and taxing cross-border trade in goods and services to stimulate the local economy and create jobs. Now that one of the region’s prominent figures heads the Kenya Revenue Authority, many hope progress can be made in this area.
Mr President, Article 204 of the Constitution establishes the Equalisation Fund. Why has the region not received all the benefits many residents believe were envisaged under the fund? Why do disbursements continue to face delays? Why has the scope of the fund expanded over time, thereby reducing the share available to counties originally identified as marginalised? As of the 2022/23 financial year, the total entitlement reportedly stood at approximately Sh54 billion. Senator Ali Roba recently expressed concern on the floor of the House that the fund is often among the easiest targets for budget cuts. Since your administration has repeatedly expressed commitment to the region, we ask that this trend be reversed and that counties receive what the Constitution intended.
Heal our wounds through tangible action. Many residents believe the region cannot fully flourish without addressing historical injustices. For the record, many people in NEP continue to cite events such as the Wagalla, Garissa Bula Karatasi and Malka Mari massacres, as well as decades of economic exclusion, as issues that require redress. The TJRC report provided recommendations on healing, compensation and structural reforms. If you are committed to national unity and reducing inequality, be the first president to fully implement the report. Use the powers available to your office and consider invoking Article 56 of the Constitution to advance affirmative action for minorities and marginalised groups. Many residents had hoped elected leaders from the region would raise these concerns during Madaraka Day celebrations, but in the view of some, the issues did not receive sufficient attention.
Your Excellency, I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt that you are committed to transforming the region and, by extension, the ASAL counties. The region needs practical solutions. Please do not leave us at the mercy of leaders whom many residents feel have failed to deliver meaningful development. We urge you to review policy research produced annually by KIPPRA and direct relevant state departments to implement recommendations touching on ASAL counties.
Mr President, it may be true that your administration has demonstrated goodwill towards the region, but why has KNBS not conducted a fresh census for Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties following the court decision affecting aspects of the 2019 census results? Many residents continue to ask whether the region may have lost resources if population figures used for allocation did not accurately reflect the actual population.
More than a year ago, Your Excellency directed the abolition of vetting committees in the acquisition of national identity cards. Are you aware of the bottlenecks that many residents say still exist? In an era of rapid technological advancement, why should young people wait months, and sometimes longer, for essential identification documents? Similarly, if the region has gained the dignity and recognition often cited under your tenure, why do many residents continue to question the number of road security barriers compared to other parts of the country?
Mr President, we appreciate your visits to the region and recognise projects such as the Isiolo-Mandera Road, HoAGDP, NEDI and LAPSSET, whose implementation has continued despite delays that predated your administration. The region, however, needs more roads that connect directly to people and economic opportunities, not only major transport corridors. We also appreciate your decision to continue the policy initiated under President Uhuru Kenyatta of rotating national public holiday celebrations across different counties. Thank you for choosing Wajir.
Mr President, The challenges facing NEP will be solved through sustained political goodwill, sound policy and meaningful investments aimed at improving the socio-economic welfare of local communities.
Finally, Your Excellency, the people of Northern Kenya are not asking for charity. They are asking for what they believe is their constitutional right to equity, inclusion, development and justice. Engage directly with professionals, youth and community leaders from the region.
In the eyes of many residents, NEP continues to face significant challenges, and only genuine structural reforms and long-term policy interventions can begin to address the historical damage.
Happy Madaraka Day.
God Bless Kenya.God Protect Kenya.
The writer is a public policy analyst
