Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged leaders and residents of Northern Kenya to embrace peace and unity as a foundation for faster development in the region.
Speaking on Thursday in Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, during an engagement with over 1,500 grassroots and opinion leaders from Isiolo County, Kindiki emphasized that cohesion and coexistence among communities remain key to unlocking the government’s development agenda.
“The President and I are working very hard to ensure we deal with divisions and foster cohesion as we prepare for the 2027 elections,” said Kindiki. He encouraged Isiolo residents, who represent diverse religions and ethnic groups, to maintain their tradition of living harmoniously.
The Deputy President cautioned against allowing politics to fuel divisions, stressing that elections will always produce winners and losers but should never breed conflict.
On development, Kindiki outlined the government’s historic investments in road infrastructure, electricity, and education across Northern Kenya. He revealed that over 1,000 kilometers of new roads are under construction, including the Sh100 billion, 750-kilometer Horn of Africa Gateway Road linking Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu. This project, he noted, will position Isiolo as a key trade and investment hub.
Other ongoing projects include the Sh28 billion Lamu Port-Ishakani-Ijara-Garissa-Isiolo road, affordable housing worth Sh1.3 billion, and last-mile electricity connections valued at Sh712 million to reach 3,000 households. A solar-diesel hybrid power plant in Merti, Isiolo South, is also complete, stabilizing electricity supply.
In education, Isiolo is set to benefit from Sh340 million for student hostels at Garbatula TVET and Sh378 million for new hostels at KMTC Isiolo.
Kindiki also urged residents to increase registration for Taifa Care, citing low enrollment at only 21%. He appealed to local leaders, elders, and community health promoters to mobilize more residents into the program for universal health coverage.
On security, he announced the construction of 19 new telecommunication masts to improve communication, enhance security, and support local businesses.
