I had the pleasure of working in the Kiambu county government at the inception of devolution. Additionally, my PhD thesis was on the performance of county governments in Kenya.
In the course of my experience and research, I have not understood why counties like Turkana, Wajir and Marsabit are not developed and thriving.
Counties like Nairobi and Kiambu have a huge workforce inherited from the municipal councils, and would therefore have a big recurrent expenditure limiting how much can be spent on development.
So what excuse does Turkana or Marsabit have for not moving towards being the next Dubai of Kenya?
Granted, some of these counties invest in education. Populous counties like Kiambu can only afford to give bursaries of approximately Sh2,000 and Sh3,000 while sparsely populated counties like Marsabit can afford over Sh10,000 per student. This discrepancy is a topic for another day.
So what about development in these counties? Why aren’t they being benchmarked as beacons of devolution?
In Kenya, a nation teeming with natural resources and economic promise, a glaring paradox persists: the counties in the northern region, despite their vast potential, remain among the least developed and most impoverished in the country.
This stark contrast, often referred to as the "Northern Kenya paradox", is a complex issue with roots in historical, geographical and socioeconomic factors.
The harsh arid and semi-arid climate of northern Kenya presents a formidable challenge to agriculture, pastoralism and overall economic activity.
The region's remoteness and limited infrastructure, including roads, electricity and telecommunications, further hinder development and restrict access to essential services.
Historically, northern Kenya has been marginalised both politically and economically. The region's pastoralist communities have often been overlooked in national development plans, and their traditional land tenure systems have conflicted with modern land management practices.
This marginalisation has contributed to a persistent sense of disenfranchisement among the region's residents.
The legacy of colonialism and post-colonial policies has also played a role in perpetuating northern Kenya's underdevelopment. The colonial focus on cash crop production in the more fertile southern regions left northern Kenya largely neglected.
In the post-colonial era, policies aimed at promoting national unity and integration often inadvertently reinforced regional disparities.
Despite these challenges, northern Kenya possesses untapped potential for development. The region is home to vast mineral resources, including gold, titanium and niobium.
It also boasts a rich biodiversity and the potential for sustainable tourism. Additionally, the region's pastoralist communities have developed a deep understanding of the arid environment, which could inform climate-resilient development strategies.
Addressing the paradox of northern Kenya's lagging development requires a comprehensive approach that tackles the underlying causes of underdevelopment. This includes investing in infrastructure, promoting sustainable livelihoods and empowering local communities.
It also necessitates a shift in mindset, recognising the unique challenges and opportunities of northern Kenya and tailoring development strategies accordingly.
The Kenyan government has taken steps to address the region's development challenges, including implementing the Northern Kenya Integrated Development Plan.
The NKIDP aims to promote infrastructure development, economic diversification, and social welfare in northern Kenya. However, the success of these efforts will depend on sustained political commitment, effective resource allocation and meaningful engagement with local communities.
Northern Kenya is one of the poorest regions in Kenya, with high levels of poverty and inequality. Governors must invest in infrastructure, education and healthcare to reduce poverty and improve the lives of people in the region.
Northern Kenya is a large and sparsely populated region, and investing in its development can help to reduce the concentration of population and economic activity in the more developed parts of the country.
Northern Kenya is a region with a rich cultural heritage, and investing in its development can help to preserve and promote this heritage.
In conclusion, the paradox of northern Kenya's lagging development is a complex issue that demands a multifaceted approach. Addressing this paradox requires acknowledging the region's unique challenges, harnessing its untapped potential and empowering its communities to drive their own development.
By bridging the development gap between northern Kenya and the rest of the country, Kenya can truly achieve inclusive and sustainable development for all its citizens.
