The Mountain Journal
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The Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has criticised the past regime for sidelining the residents of Northern Kenya in development distribution.
He took issue with the vetting process that previously complicated issuance of identification documents including the National Identity Cards, Birth Certificates and Birth Certificates in the region.
“It was very hard and cumbersome for the people from the northern Kenya to get identification documents before 2022, but President Ruto Promised that when elected he will ensure that everybody will be served equally, and he fulfilled that on 5th February this year when he made his proclamation in Wajir to abolish that retrogressive policy and all Kenyans now irrespective of their religion, ethnicity will be served equally,” DP said.
Speaking on Monday at Water Grounds in Garissa Town, Garissa Township Constituency, Garissa County during an empowerment event for small-scale traders affected by the Suq Mugdi fire tragedy in July this year, the Deputy President noted that the newly reopened Garissa passport office closed since 2019 and officially reopened by the President May are part of efforts to end historical marginalization in the region.
The DP also inspected the upgrading of Garissa Airstrip at a cost of 710 million shillings, which includes an input of Sh110 million from the County Government of Garissa.
He also checked on the construction of Tana River-Garissa Bridge which is being constructed at a cost of Sh1.7 billion to ease transportation between the two counties.
Prof. Kindiki also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating development and restoring equal opportunities across Northern Kenya saying the region had been sidelined for decades but is now witnessing major investment in infrastructure and public services.
He announced that the ongoing construction of 750-kilometre road that connects Mandera–Wajir–Isiolo highway worth KSh 100 billion will ease mobility, reduce commodity prices, open up economic activity and strengthen security. It is expected to be completed before 2027.
“This is the longest road to be constructed by any government since independence. The road from Mandera-Ramu-Garre-Elwak-Kobo-Kotulo Tarbaj-Wajir-Samatar-Modogashe-Kula Mawe to Isiolo is on course,” said Kindiki.
He also announced the construction of a 370 kilometre Lamu–LAPSSET corridor linking Lamu–Ijara–Garissa–Isiolo Road and the planned Garissa–Dadaab–Liboi–Harhar corridor, which will link Kenya to Somalia.
The Deputy President added that the government has invested KSh 13 billion in affordable housing, fresh produce markets and hostels in Garissa.
Other projects include construction of the Tana River Bridge in Garissa Town worth Ksh 1 Billion and last mile electricity connections worth Ksh 1.7B that will benefit 7,200 households in Garissa County.
At the same time, Prof. Kindiki expressed concern over high child mortality rates in Northern Kenya assuring residents that the government will continue strengthening healthcare access through the Ministry of Health to ensure that the deaths are reduced.
“I support Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale when he says we must work very hard as a government in both levels to reduce the child mortality rate in Kenya,” he said.
The event was attended by Health CS Duale, Kimani Ichungwa (Leader of Majority National Assembly) Aaron Cheruiyot (Majority Leader Senate) (Deputy Governor Garissa) MPs Major Dekow Barrow (Garissa Town ship)
Farah Maalim (Dadaab), Major Abdullahi Bashir (Mandera North) Mohammed Abdikadir (Lagdera) Abdi Sirat (Nominated) Umul Kher (Nominated) Yakub Adow (Bura) Hiribae Said Buya (Galole) Abdi Ali Abdi (Ijara) Japhet Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North) Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West), Deputy Governor Garissa Abdi Dagane, Members of Garissa County Assembly and a host of leaders.
