By Shadrack Nyakoe
President William Ruto has pledged a comprehensive transformation of the North Eastern region, unveiling key infrastructure and development projects during his five-day tour. His visit marks a historic milestone as he becomes the first sitting president to spend multiple days in the terrorism-prone area.
Among the major announcements, Ruto revealed that the government will embark on the reconstruction of the Garissa market, commonly known as Suq Mukdi. The market, which housed over 5,000 traders dealing in various goods and services, was destroyed by a fire in 2022.
In a move aimed at easing travel and documentation processes, the president also reopened the Garissa Passport Application Centre. The facility had remained closed for a decade due to security concerns following a wave of terror attacks. It will now serve residents of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, and Kitui counties, becoming Kenya’s 10th decentralized passport centre.
Security and Infrastructure Upgrades
President Ruto reiterated his administration’s commitment to security, affirming that efforts to combat Al-Shabaab militants have weakened their influence in the region. He dismissed recent attacks, including the abduction of local chiefs, as desperate attempts to instill fear.
“They thought that by doing so, they would stop us from coming here,” Ruto said. “I must make it absolutely clear that every inch of Kenya is important, and we are not going to cede an inch of our country to criminals. We will go after them, we will deal with them, and we will eliminate them.”
The head of state also inspected the ongoing expansion of the Garissa Airstrip, which is set to receive a modern passenger terminal, a new taxiway, and an extended runway. The upgrade, a collaborative effort between the Kenya Airports Authority and the County Government of Garissa, will see the airstrip’s runway extended from 1.2km to 1.4km to accommodate larger aircraft and increase passenger and cargo traffic.
Boosting Road Network and Electricity Supply
To enhance connectivity and economic integration, Ruto announced the construction of the 750km Isiolo-Modogashe-El Wak-Mandera road. The KSh100 billion project, jointly funded by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, Arab banks, and the Kenyan government, aims to open up the region to new investment opportunities.
In a further boost to development, the government has allocated KSh2.6 billion to connect Mandera County to the national electricity grid. This initiative is expected to improve access to reliable power, fostering business growth and service delivery in the area.
President Ruto’s visit and announcements signal a renewed focus on addressing historical marginalization in North Eastern Kenya, with the government prioritizing infrastructure, security, and economic empowerment in the region.
