Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment to end decades of historical marginalization in North Eastern Kenya, pledging to deliver equitable development and improved access to government services across the region.
Speaking during an economic empowerment event in Elwak, Mandera County, Kindiki emphasized that the government is determined to ensure all Kenyans, regardless of region, enjoy the same level of infrastructure, social amenities, and opportunities. He said the North Eastern region had been neglected for far too long, adding that President William Ruto’s administration has prioritized the area in its national development agenda.
Kindiki outlined several major infrastructure projects currently underway, including road construction, electricity expansion, affordable housing programs, and improved healthcare and education facilities. He said these projects are meant to open up the region for trade, improve connectivity, and enhance livelihoods.
The Deputy President highlighted the 750-kilometre Isiolo–Modogashe–Wajir–Tarbaj–Kotulo–Rhamu–Mandera corridor, popularly known as the Horn of Africa Gateway Road, as one of the landmark projects aimed at integrating the region with the rest of the country. He added that the ongoing Lamu–Ijara–Garissa–Isiolo road project would further improve access to markets and promote cross-border trade with Somalia and Ethiopia.
Kindiki also announced new measures to address issues surrounding national identification, an area where residents of North Eastern Kenya have long faced delays and discrimination. He said the government had abolished discriminatory vetting processes that often denied citizens access to national IDs, passports, and other essential documentation.
He assured residents that the era of being treated as second-class citizens was over, insisting that every Kenyan has equal rights and opportunities regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or place of birth.
“We are committed to ending all forms of marginalization in this region. Every Kenyan must enjoy the same level of service delivery, whether in Nairobi or Mandera. There will be no more discrimination or delays in access to basic rights such as identification and healthcare,” Kindiki said.
He further stated that the government is working on strengthening security in the region, noting that peace and stability are key to sustaining development. He urged local leaders and residents to maintain peace and unity, adding that the government will not tolerate banditry or extremism that threatens progress.
The Deputy President also encouraged local leaders to sensitize their communities about the government’s new Social Health Authority (SHA) program to ensure residents access healthcare services without financial strain. He said the government aims to make health insurance universal by enrolling all households, including those in remote areas, into the national health coverage system.
Kindiki praised the people of North Eastern for their resilience and contribution to the country’s growth, saying their region plays a crucial role in Kenya’s economy, especially in trade, livestock production, and cross-border commerce. He noted that new hybrid electricity projects and modern market facilities are already being developed in towns such as Elwak, Banisa, and Kotulo to support local businesses and improve living standards.
The Deputy President added that the government is also investing in affordable housing projects across Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties to provide dignified living spaces and create employment opportunities for the youth.
He emphasized that development in the region must be accompanied by education and empowerment initiatives, pointing out that the government will soon roll out new scholarship and bursary programs targeting bright but needy students from the area.
Kindiki expressed confidence that the progress being witnessed is proof that the government’s bottom-up economic model is taking shape and bringing change to communities that had previously been forgotten.
He urged the residents to continue working closely with government agencies and local leaders to ensure the success of ongoing projects and discourage divisive politics that often derail development.
Local leaders who attended the event praised the Deputy President for his visit and lauded the government’s renewed commitment to transform the region. They said improved infrastructure, better healthcare, and equal access to education and identification services would finally help North Eastern realize its full potential.
Residents also welcomed the assurance that vetting discrimination would no longer be practiced, saying it marked a new chapter of inclusion and dignity for the people of the region.
However, some community elders and analysts noted that while the promises were encouraging, the government must ensure that the projects are completed on time and that corruption or bureaucracy does not hinder delivery.
Kindiki concluded his address by stating that the government’s vision is to ensure that every Kenyan, regardless of geography or background, feels the impact of national development. He said North Eastern will continue to receive focused attention until it matches the rest of the country in access to infrastructure, social amenities, and opportunities.
“The journey of equality and inclusion has begun. We want every Kenyan, from Turkana to Mandera, to know that they matter and that this government is working for them. We will not rest until every region has developed equally,” Kindiki affirmed.
His remarks come as Kenya Kwanza steps up efforts to fulfill campaign pledges and bridge regional disparities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Deputy President assuring that tangible results will be seen in the coming months.
