A renewed wave of development is sweeping across Wajir as senior national and county leaders intensify efforts to transform the region’s infrastructure, electricity access, and urban connectivity ahead of the upcoming Madaraka Day celebrations
Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum James Opiyo Wandayi on Monday arrived in Wajir for an extensive inspection and launch tour of key electricity and infrastructure projects aimed at improving reliable power connectivity across the county.
The visit, which brought together national government officials, county leaders and residents, underscored what leaders described as a growing government commitment to accelerate development in Kenya’s historically marginalized North Eastern region.
During the inspection tour, Wandayi visited Kenya Power generators at the local substation where he assessed the operational capacity of the power infrastructure currently serving Wajir town and surrounding areas. He also inspected ongoing electrification and street lighting installations at Wajir Stadium and the County Commissioner’s residence, projects expected to enhance public infrastructure and improve security within the municipality.
The CS later officially launched the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) projects together with the Last Mile Connectivity programme in the Bula Kisumu area, marking another significant step in expanding electricity access to local communities.
Speaking during the launch, Wandayi acknowledged the longstanding electricity challenges facing Wajir County and assured residents that the government was actively working to resolve them through strategic investments and expanded grid connectivity.
“For many years Wajir remained in darkness, but the government is now committed to transforming the region through major energy investments,” the CS said.
He noted that improving energy infrastructure in North Eastern Kenya remains a national priority due to its direct impact on economic growth, business expansion, education, healthcare and social development.
Wandayi further urged Kenyans to remain calm amid the ongoing fuel supply concerns being experienced in parts of the country, assuring the public that the government was taking swift interventions to stabilize supply chains and address emerging sector challenges.
“Government is actively implementing strategies to bolster grid connectivity and deliver a steady, dependable power supply to both homes and businesses,” he said while addressing residents during the tour.
The Energy CS was accompanied by Ahmed Abdullahi, who described the electrification projects as a major milestone in the county’s long journey toward improved infrastructure and modern urban development.
“The launch of the electrification of Bula Kisumu is a key step in advancing last-mile connectivity and expanding access to reliable power for our communities,” Governor Ahmed Abdullahi stated.
The governor emphasized that access to stable electricity would not only improve living conditions for residents but would also open up economic opportunities for local businesses, support digital transformation and attract future investments into the county.
The inspection tour also comes at a critical moment for Wajir as preparations intensify for the national Madaraka Day celebrations expected to place the county on the national spotlight.
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi announced that the county government would immediately fast-track the construction and upgrading of 85 kilometres of roads within a four-mile radius of Wajir town shortly after the Madaraka Day celebrations.
According to the governor, the ambitious road programme is designed to improve urban mobility, enhance access to residential estates and strengthen connectivity across the municipality.
“Every estate within the targeted zones will be tarmacked as part of the county’s broader urban development agenda,” the governor said.
He added that the road expansion project is expected to significantly transform the face of Wajir town by improving transportation, stimulating local businesses and raising the overall quality of life for residents.
The latest infrastructure commitments further reinforce growing perceptions that Wajir is entering a new phase of urban transformation, driven by both national government investments and county-led development initiatives.
For years, Wajir and much of North Eastern Kenya faced persistent infrastructure challenges ranging from poor road networks to unreliable electricity supply and limited public investment. However, recent projects launched across the region signal a deliberate shift toward addressing historical inequalities and integrating the region more closely into the country’s broader economic framework.
Leaders attending the inspection tour noted that reliable electricity remains central to unlocking Wajir’s economic potential, especially in sectors such as trade, healthcare, education, digital services and small-scale manufacturing.
Residents in newly connected areas are expected to benefit from improved lighting, enhanced business operations and increased access to modern services that depend on stable electricity supply.
Meanwhile, Aden Daud Mohamed called on residents to turn up in large numbers for the upcoming Madaraka Day celebrations, describing the national event as an important symbol of unity, patriotism and progress.
Speaking during the development inspection tour alongside the Energy CS, the Wajir East legislator praised the ongoing cooperation between national and county leadership in accelerating development projects across the county.
He also commended Governor Ahmed Abdullahi for what he described as remarkable efforts in transforming Wajir through investments in infrastructure, public services and community welfare programmes.
“Cooperation between leaders and residents remains key to accelerating development and fostering unity within the county,” Aden said.
The MP further stressed that hosting national celebrations in Wajir presents a unique opportunity to showcase the county’s progress, culture and economic potential to the rest of the country.
As preparations for Madaraka Day continue, ongoing electrification works, new road upgrades and expanded public infrastructure projects are increasingly being viewed as part of a broader effort to reposition Wajir as an emerging urban and economic hub in North Eastern Kenya.
With new street lighting projects underway, last-mile electricity connections expanding into residential settlements and major road upgrades on the horizon, leaders say Wajir is steadily moving toward a future defined by connectivity, modernization and long-term development.