In what exhibited a show of national unity, President William Ruto delivered a historic apology to residents of Northern Kenya during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations, the first time the event has been hosted in the North Eastern region.

Speaking at the newly constructed Wajir Stadium, the President acknowledged decades of systemic neglect and unveiled an ambitious development blueprint aimed at transforming the region.

The apology

Addressing thousands of residents, national leaders, and local dignitaries, the President confronted the long standing grievances of marginalization head on.

“Decades without adequate roads, without water, health, or schools,” the President said.

He added, “Communities pushed to the fringes of their own Republic. Their patriotism questioned, their citizenship doubted, their aspirations undermined. For too long, some said this region was too difficult, too dry, too remote, and too insecure to deserve any development. That was wrong then. It is wrong now. It will forever remain wrong.”

In an emotionally charged moment that drew sustained applause, the President issued a formal national apology.

“Today, as I stand here as President and leader of our great nation, to the people of Kenya in Northern Kenya, for this marginalization, I want to apologize on behalf of the nation of Kenya.”

Central to the government’s new agenda is a massive water infrastructure program designed to end chronic marginalization and boost food security.

The President announced plans to construct 50 mega dams,nationwide,200 medium and small dams
and thousands of micro-dams

The initiative is expected to bring an additional 2.5 million acres under irrigation over the next 5 to 7 years.

Priority projects in Northern Kenya and ASAL regions include the long delayed Bute Dam in Wajir North, developments on the Ewaso Nyiro basin in Isiolo,High Grand Falls Dam on the Tana River,River Dawa mega-dam in Mandera, Sikli canal in Garissa, and other projects in Turkana, Narok, and Elgeyo Marakwet.

“Each of these dams is a statement that no county is too remote to deserve investment, and no river too far to be harnessed for the good of Kenya,” the President declared.

The President also highlighted progress in addressing historical discrimination in the issuance of national identity cards. Thousands of young people in Wajir who turned 18 last year received their IDs without the bureaucratic hurdles and extra scrutiny previously faced by Northern Kenyan communities.

“We did not abolish verification of citizenship. We abolished discrimination,” the President clarified.

Looking to the future, the President drew inspiration from global success stories such as South Korea, Singapore, and Finland, emphasizing heavy investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Under the new Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, 52 percent of the first Grade 10 cohort has chosen the STEM pathway.

In the agricultural sector, the government has distributed more than 52,000 sheep, goats, and cattle to over 10,000 drought affected households and vaccinated more than 10 million animals. An additional 2,000 agripreneurs are being deployed to ASAL counties to support pastoral communities with market access, finance, and climate-smart practices.

New chapter

“What was once called remote will become strategic. And what was once neglected will become indispensable to our food security, our prosperity, and the future we are all building together.”

The hosting of Madaraka Day in Wajir has been widely viewed as a powerful symbolic gesture, though its long term impact will depend on the successful implementation of the promised infrastructure and economic program

However, the celebrations faced strong criticism from the political opposition.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua questioned the relevance of holding Madaraka Day festivities amid the country’s current challenges.

Gachagua asked why a country struggling with serious economic issues, corruption, a bureaucratic system of government, and where the rule of law is routinely ignored should be celebrating.

He added that freedom of speech is no longer guaranteed, claiming that citizens attempting to air their voices are being silenced.

“There is nothing to celebrate on this Madaraka day for the people of Wajir and 55 million Kenyans who continue to bear the brunt of a bad economy,” he stated.

He further asserted that “Celebrating Madaraka day in Wajir county is equal to mocking them since they have nothing to celebrate.”