President William Ruto is set to embark on a crucial visit to the North Eastern region of Kenya next week, where leaders from the area will present a series of pressing issues impacting their constituents.
The President’s tour, which will begin on Tuesday, is expected to focus on a variety of development initiatives aimed at addressing the long-standing challenges facing the region.
Lagdera MP Mohamed Abdikadir Hussein confirmed the visit, which will see the President tour Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir counties over the course of a week.
During his visit, Ruto is expected to launch and inspect multiple development projects aimed at improving infrastructure, education, and security within these counties.
The visit comes on the heels of a concerted effort by the region’s political leadership to push for more attention to North Eastern’s development needs.
The North Eastern Parliamentary Group (NE-PG), led by Eldas MP Adan Keynan and Dadaab MP Farah Maalim, has been active in advocating for the region’s priorities, most recently holding high-profile consultation meetings in Mombasa and Nairobi.
This caucus is determined to ensure that President Ruto’s administration prioritizes the region’s challenges.
A major bone of contention for leaders in the North Eastern region is the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA)’s proposed formula for revenue distribution to counties, which heavily factors in population size.
North Eastern leaders have vehemently opposed this approach, arguing that it unfairly overlooks the region’s vast land area and existing socio-economic challenges, including significant underdevelopment and historical marginalization.
“We will not allow such a discriminatory formula to determine resource allocation,” said Farah Maalim, stressing that the region is prepared to challenge the proposal in court if necessary.
Adan Keynan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the region’s continued push for equitable resource allocation and the completion of long-overdue infrastructure projects, such as road construction, which are essential for the region’s economic growth.
Residents of the North Eastern region, who have long faced issues such as inadequate healthcare, a shortage of teachers, and heightened insecurity, are hopeful that Ruto’s visit will mark the beginning of tangible improvements in their quality of life.
The region has long been overlooked in national development plans, but with leaders now united in their advocacy, there is renewed optimism that this tour could bring much-needed attention and resources to the area.
