President William Ruto addressing residents of Eldas.
/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
President William Ruto has wrapped up his three-day tour of Northern Kenya with a renewed pledge to channel more resources to the region, declaring that its transformation is critical to Kenya's future development.
Speaking in Maalimin, Lagdera Constituency, on the final day of the tour, Ruto said Northern Kenya has for decades suffered historical neglect and marginalisation, but his administration is determined to change that through massive investments in infrastructure, education, water, electricity and healthcare.
"Northern Kenya is not peripheral; it is central to the development of Kenya," the President said.
He added: "I am on a mission to correct the historical injustices and marginalisation suffered by fellow Kenyans from this region for far too long."
As part of the development push, Ruto launched the KSh72.2 million Maalimin Mini-Grid project, which is expected to provide electricity to more than 500 households.
He said the government is investing Sh4.1 billion to connect 26,000 households to electricity in Wajir County, Sh2.5 billion to power 18,600 homes in Mandera County and Sh1.6 billion to connect 8,300 households in Garissa County.
Earlier in Kotulo, Tarbaj Constituency, the President inspected the construction of the 64-kilometre Tarbaj-Kotulo section of the 750-kilometre Isiolo-Mandera road project being built at a cost of KSh100 billion.
Ruto said security agencies had significantly weakened the threat posed by Al-Shabaab militants, allowing major infrastructure projects in the region to proceed with minimal disruption.
The President later commissioned the Sh460 million Eldas Water Supply Project and laid the foundation stone for the 580-bed Eldas Teachers Training College in Wajir County.
In a direct message to residents, Ruto urged parents to embrace education and ensure their children attend school.
"It would be foolish, after such investment in education, to force your children to stay home and take care of cattle instead of taking them to school," he said.
He directed security officials to remain vigilant and take action against parents who fail to take their children to school.
The President said the government is also investing Sh15 billion across Wajir County to construct 18 modern markets, hostels for 2,000 students and 4,600 affordable housing units aimed at improving livelihoods and creating jobs.
President William Ruto tests water after commissioned the Sh460
million Eldas Water Supply Project. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Ruto also pushed for increased registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA), expressing concern over low enrolment levels in the region.
He noted that only 35 per cent of Wajir residents had registered for the scheme, which he said is crucial in helping the government plan and finance healthcare services.
"You must all register with SHA for Government to take care of your medical bills. Without doing this, we cannot help you in times of need," he said.
The President revealed that the government this week disbursed Sh12.7 billion to settle hospital claims across the country, including facilities in Northern Kenya.
He added that medical equipment had recently been delivered to hospitals in the region to enable them to offer specialised healthcare services.
Ruto also took a swipe at his political opponents, saying they had little to show for the leadership positions they had previously held.
"Some of them have held top leadership positions in this country, yet they have little to show. So far, their only achievement is giving me nicknames," he said.
The President later inspected the Garissa-Ijara road section, part of the larger Lamu-Garissa-Ijara road project, as he concluded his development tour of the region.
President
William Ruto with Eldas MP Aden Keynan./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
