Eldas MP Adan Keynan at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, when he hosted a dinner for Eldas Girls Secondary School for being the regional volleyball champions /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Eldas Girls Secondary School hold their trophy as the girls' regional volleyball champions/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Eldas MP Aden Keynan has defended the Northeastern region’s support for
President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027, saying residents have no
apologies to make for their political stand.
Speaking on Tuesday evening at a celebratory dinner for Eldas Girls
Secondary School—who made history by emerging as regional volleyball champions
for the first time—Keynan hit out at critics questioning the region’s political
choices. The dinner was held at Serena Hotel in Nairobi.
Keynan, the longest-serving MP in the country and elected on a Jubilee Party
ticket, said support for President Ruto is driven by trust and gratitude for
his administration’s focus on marginalised areas like Northern Kenya.
“President Ruto’s administration has invested in infrastructure, education,
security, and economic empowerment across Northern Kenya,” Keynan said. “This
has reignited hope in a region long neglected and, for that, we stand firmly
behind him.”
He called on critics to respect the democratic rights of all Kenyans to
support leaders of their choice, arguing that it is unfair to expect the
people of the Northeastern region to reject the President simply because others
oppose him.
“Our support for President Ruto is grounded in trust, experience, and
demonstrable progress. He is a visionary leader who understands the unique
challenges of our region and is committed to transforming them into engines of
national growth,” he said.
Keynan further stated that the President is being targeted for his
commitment to national cohesion, addressing historical injustices, and
promoting equity in opportunity and resource distribution—an approach that
strongly resonates with the aspirations of pastoralist communities.
He highlighted the long-awaited upgrade of the Samatar–Wajir road to bitumen
standard as a transformative milestone. “This isn’t just a road project,”
Keynan said. “It’s a lifeline—a critical artery that will connect Wajir to the
rest of the country, open up trade, reduce isolation, and offer residents
long-denied economic and social opportunities.”
For decades, he noted, the people of Wajir had endured impassable, dusty
roads that had crippled growth and left them disconnected. With the upcoming
road upgrade, traders and pastoralists will more easily access markets, reduce
the cost of doing business, and improve livelihoods. It will also attract
investment and strengthen cross-border trade, especially with Ethiopia.
Keynan’s comments come months after President Ruto conducted a four-day development tour across Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo counties. During the visit, the President launched projects in infrastructure, water, health, and livestock sectors—further cementing his administration’s commitment to the region.
While in Wajir, President Ruto also signed a presidential decree abolishing
ethnic profiling and extra-vetting for Northeastern residents applying for
national IDs and passports. He declared that all Kenyans must be treated
equally in such vetting processes.
Keynan said the bold move reflected not just policy change but a genuine
effort to foster inclusion and dignity for communities that have long been
marginalised.
“We see the future in President Ruto’s leadership,” Keynan concluded. “And we stand by him, not just out of loyalty, but out of belief in a better future for our people.”
