Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured residents of Wajir County that the government is committed to ending decades of marginalisation through accelerated investment in infrastructure, housing, power connectivity, and enterprise empowerment.
Speaking during the Wajir County Economic Empowerment Program at Orahey Grounds in Wajir East, Kindiki said the Kenya Kwanza administration has allocated Sh3 billion for the Last Mile Connectivity Program, targeting 18,544 households for electricity access.
He added that the government is constructing eight modern Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets across the county to boost trade and create jobs.
The deputy president further explained that affordable housing projects are also underway, including student hostels in TVETs, teacher training colleges, and medical campuses.
The Deputy President highlighted progress on the 750-kilometre Isiolo–Wajir–Mandera road, describing it as the longest road project ever undertaken by the government since independence. Once complete, he said, the road will transform trade and ease movement across the region.
To address frequent electricity shortages, the government is implementing a hybrid power generation programme combining solar and diesel plants in Eldas, Habaswein, Merti, and Elwak.
At the same time, Kindiki reiterated that the government had scrapped the discriminatory vetting processes previously required for residents of Northern Kenya to acquire national identity cards and other citizenship documents.
“We are one country. There should be no form of discrimination. The people of Northern Kenya deserve equal treatment like all other Kenyans,” he affirmed.
He further noted that supporting women- and youth-led SACCOs is central to the administration’s agenda of strengthening small-scale businesses and unlocking the economic potential of the region.
The event was attended by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Chairman of the Council of Governors, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, MPs from Wajir and neighbouring counties, and local leaders.
By Hamdi Buthul
