President William Ruto on Sunday launched a series of major development projects in Wajir County and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accelerating development in Northern Kenya, saying no region of the country should be left behind.
The Head of State began his development tour in Habaswein, Wajir South Constituency, ahead of the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations set to be held in Wajir on Monday, marking the first time in Kenya’s history that the national event is being celebrated in the county.
President Ruto commissioned the Habaswein Solar PV-BESS-Diesel Hybrid Power Plant, a KSh639 million investment designed to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to more than 8,565 households. The project is expected to boost economic activity, improve livelihoods and enhance access to essential services in the area.
The President also launched the last-mile electricity connectivity programme as part of the government’s affirmative action initiative targeting Northern Kenya. According to Ruto, the programme will see KSh8.4 billion invested to connect more than 53,300 households to electricity across the region.
“Under our affirmative action programme for Northern Kenya, we are investing KSh8.4 billion to connect more than 53,300 households to electricity, advancing our commitment to inclusive development and ensuring that no part of our country is left behind,” the President said.
He noted that Northern Kenya remains among the regions with the lowest electricity connectivity rates in the country and said the government was taking deliberate measures to address the imbalance through accelerated infrastructure investment.
During the visit, the President also inspected the ongoing upgrading of 7.5 kilometres of roads within Habaswein Town. The KSh557 million project is expected to improve mobility, ease transportation challenges, facilitate trade and enhance access to public services for residents and businesses.
Addressing a large gathering of residents and leaders, President Ruto said his administration was determined to reverse decades of neglect and exclusion that had slowed development in the Northeastern region.
“For the first time in Kenya’s history, tomorrow we are celebrating Madaraka Day in Wajir. For the first time, there will be no politics of discrimination in any part of Kenya,” he said.
The President described the decision to host the national celebrations in Wajir as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to national unity and equitable development.
Ruto further announced that the long-awaited Modogashe-Habaswein-Samatar road project would commence soon, revealing that consultants are expected on the ground by June as preparations begin for implementation.
Reflecting on the region’s historical challenges, the President observed that poor infrastructure had for years isolated Northeastern Kenya from the rest of the country.
“Many times, people from this region would say they are coming to Kenya when visiting Nairobi because of the lack of development and road networks. I want to say that under my administration, that will be a thing of the past,” he stated.
Beyond infrastructure and energy, the President outlined measures aimed at improving healthcare and education in the region. He said the government had equipped hospitals in Wajir and neighbouring counties to strengthen healthcare delivery and urged residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to benefit from the reforms.
In education, Ruto announced an affirmative action programme that will see an additional 100 teachers recruited for every constituency in Northeastern Kenya. The move is intended to address teacher shortages that have persisted due to insecurity-related transfers and staffing challenges.
“Youths from this region will be teaching learners in Northern Kenya. We are ready to hire you so that children in Northern Kenya can access education like children in every other part of the country,” he said.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi welcomed the President’s visit and expressed gratitude for the national government’s continued investment in the county and the broader Northeastern region. The governor said the projects being implemented would significantly improve the lives of residents and contribute to the county’s economic transformation.
Several leaders accompanied the President during the tour, including Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who defended the government’s development agenda and called for equal treatment of all Kenyans regardless of region.
“The only crime the President has committed is making Kenya one nation. People must be treated equally,” Duale said.
Residents turned out in large numbers to welcome the President as he commenced his development tour, with many expressing optimism that the projects would help unlock economic opportunities and improve living standards across Wajir County.
The visit sets the stage for Monday’s Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir, a historic event that government leaders say symbolizes a new chapter of inclusion, recognition and accelerated development for Northern Kenya.