Ruto: My administration will end six decades of historical injustices in Northern Kenya

President William Ruto inspects the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project Package II, Lot 2, along the Tarbaj–Kotulo (64km) A13 road section in Tarbaj Constituency, Wajir County on June 2, 2026/ PCS

President William Ruto has pledged to end decades of historical injustices that have hampered development in Northern Kenya.

The Head of State said his administration is committed to ensuring the region receives its fair share of national resources and opportunities.

Speaking on the first day of his three-day development tour of the region, the President highlighted a raft of government interventions aimed at transforming the lives of residents.

He also pledged to integrate the area into the country's economic mainstream.

“The discrimination that has happened over the last 60 years, leaving Northern Kenya lagging behind, will not happen again and Northern Kenya will receive its share of development just like any other part of the country,” Ruto said.

He spoke during inspection of the Wajir-Tarbaj-Kotulo road and a tour of Eldas Town – both in Wajir County.

Ruto cited ongoing affordable housing projects, expansion of electricity connectivity and the construction of key road networks as some of the flagship programmes being implemented to boost trade and ease the movement of people and goods across the region.

“We have set aside Sh15 billion government money to build 18 markets, students' hostels and affordable houses," Ruto said.

“We have also committed Sh100 billion for the Isiolo–Mandera road corridor construction which many people thought was a dream.”

The President also pointed to reforms in the issuance of national identification documents, noting that the government had scrapped the long-standing vetting requirements that had previously delayed many residents from obtaining IDs.

He said the reforms would enable more citizens to access essential government services, employment opportunities and financial inclusion programmes.

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi lauded the move to drop restrictions on ID issuance, saying it means a lot to the people of the North.

“Kenyans have talked about independence in 1963, the first and second liberation and even the third liberation which is devolution. We are here talking of the fourth liberation, which is the removal of vetting on IDs,” the governor said.

Ruto also urged the residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to ensure they receive quality healthcare paid for by the authority.

“Wajir, you are 35 per cent in SHA registration; what are you waiting for? Ensure you register so that you can get free treatment paid for by the government,” he said.

The President's visit comes a day after he led the nation in marking this year's Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir County, the first time the national event was held in the region.

He said the decision underscored the government's commitment to recognising and addressing the concerns of communities that have historically felt marginalised.

Ruto is expected to inspect and launch several development projects during the tour as part of the government's broader agenda to accelerate socio-economic transformation in Northern Kenya.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The Head of State noted that his administration is committed to ensuring the region receives its fair share of national resources and opportunities.