Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced that the government has committed KES 300 billion towards the development of Northern and North Eastern Kenya under the North and North Eastern Development Initiative (NEDI).
The initiative, backed by partners like the World Bank, is aimed at accelerating socio-economic transformation in the region, which has long been underserved.
Speaking at a NEDI consultative meeting in Nairobi, Gachagua said the projects span various sectors, including transport, agriculture, water, health, education, energy, and social protection, with the goal of stimulating sustainable growth in counties such as West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Marsabit, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera.
“The opening up of Northern and North-Eastern Kenya is a priority for our administration because the area admittedly has lagged behind for a long time. We thank our partners, specifically the World Bank, for the capital injection to open up this part of Kenya with huge potential,” Gachagua stated.
Highlighted projects include the Horn of Africa Gateway Project (HoAGP), which will build a 740km road from Isiolo through Wajir to Mandera, the construction of 400 boreholes under the Horn of Africa Ground Water for Resilience Project (HoAGWRP), and the Isiolo Export Abattoir. Additionally, the Wajir Livestock Training Institute will be rehabilitated to support the region’s livestock industry.
Gachagua emphasized that Northern Kenya’s vast, fertile land could play a crucial role in Kenya’s food security if properly developed. Drawing comparisons to Middle Eastern countries with similar climates, he expressed optimism that the region could become a major food production zone.
With climate change posing a significant risk, the NEDI projects will incorporate resilient measures to mitigate its impact. Gachagua stressed the importance of involving regional leaders to ensure project success and called on them to take an active role in the development process.
