Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has issued a sharp rebuke to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying he lacks the moral authority to lecture northern leaders on corruption. The governor made the remarks during the launch of the ECDE school meals program and sanitary kits initiative in Wajir County, where he strongly defended the region’s record on the use of devolved funds.
Governor Abdullahi’s response came days after Gachagua accused northern leaders of graft and mismanagement, claiming the region is under-developed because of corruption.
“If you were fired as a government officer for selling relief maize, you lack the moral authority to lecture us on corruption,” Governor Abdullahi said, directly referring to Gachagua’s dismissal from a government position over relief maize scandal.
The governor went on to challenge Gachagua’s claims by arguing that the development gap between northern Kenya and the rest of the country cannot be explained by corruption, CDF or equitable share funds. He said the region has done more with devolved money than the average county in Kenya, and questioned whether other counties can match northern Kenya’s achievements under difficult conditions. “How many counties in Kenya have constructed standard tarmac roads over 50km from equitable share? How many have built teacher training colleges from CDF money?” he asked.
Governor Abdullahi said the region’s challenges are not a result of corruption but rather a consequence of structural factors that are unique to northern Kenya.
“So this devolved money, whether through CDF or county equitable share, has done more in northern Kenya than the average county,” he said. “But we are starting from a very low base and we are dealing with circumstances that are only on us the vastness of the territory, the harshness of the climatic conditions.”
The governor highlighted that the region spends money on essential services that other counties do not need to spend. He explained that northern counties often supplement relief food from the national government during Ramadan, a cost that is not experienced in many other parts of Kenya. “We spend money here supplementing relief food from the national government to buy food for people in Ramadan. That doesn’t happen in many places. It doesn’t need to happen in many parts of Kenya,” he said.
He also explained that northern Kenya has to invest heavily in water supply during droughts, tracking water to remote areas deep in reserves to help communities survive. “We are tracking water to people deep in the reserves to help them go through the drought. The same cannot be said of other places,” he said, adding that the region’s underdevelopment is therefore not a reflection of mismanagement but of the harsh realities of the environment.
The governor argued that the region’s vast territory increases the cost of delivering services. He used a clear comparison to show the size of Wajir South constituency, saying it covers 22,000 square kilometres, which is 81 times the size of Kiharu constituency. He also said Wajir County is equal to more than 20 counties combined in size. These are realities that he said cannot be ignored when assessing the region’s development progress.
He stated that northern Kenya is dealing with “legacy issues” that predate devolution, and that the region’s development gap cannot be blamed on current leaders. “Our underdevelopment is as a result of legacy issues. It has nothing to do with what he is saying,” he said.
The governor further noted that people in the region do not need to be “paid” for schools or other services. “We don’t need to pay for schools. Our sand is fine. We can walk around. All we need is classrooms,” he said. The statement reflected the governor’s argument that the region’s challenges are largely infrastructural and not related to corruption or mismanagement.
Governor Abdullahi also hinted that the anger and bitterness from the criticism may be connected to northern Kenya’s political choice. He said the region has decided to support the re-election of President William Ruto in 2027, and that there is no apology for that decision. “I think the bitterness is coming from the decision as a region to support the re-election of President Ruto inshallah in 2027, and we have absolutely no apologies for that,” he said.
He added that Rigathi gachagua is free to campaign in the region as part of democratic politics. “If that fellow has to come and campaign and get fellow fellas here and there, well that’s part of democracy. He is fine. He can come and campaign. It’s part of democracy,” Governor Abdullahi said.
He insisted that the region’s mood is clear and that the people of northern Kenya have made their decision. “Generally, feeling the mood on the ground, this part of the country had decided this is where we want to be. Just the way he says one term, we have decided to say two terms, and we have no apology to make,” he said.
The governor’s statement reflects a broader political message: northern Kenya will not accept being labeled as corrupt or under-developed without defending its record and explaining the unique challenges it faces. The debate over corruption and development in the region is therefore not only about governance, but also about politics and the future of the country.
Governor Abdullahi’s response comes at a time when the northern region is already under intense scrutiny from political rivals. By publicly challenging Gachagua, the governor is sending a message that the region will defend its record and will not be intimidated by political accusations. He is also highlighting the need for national recognition of the structural issues affecting northern Kenya.
As the debate continues, the governor’s message is clear: northern Kenya is not under-developed because of corruption, but because it is dealing with unique realities that require special attention and support. The region has delivered more with devolved funds than most counties, but it still faces a long journey toward development due to its harsh environment and historical disadvantages.