Gachagua attacks Northern Kenya leaders
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has once again turned his attention to the political leadership in Northern Kenya, blaming the region’s long-standing poverty and underdevelopment on poor accountability rather than a lack of resources.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Gachagua said Northern Kenya continues to lag behind despite receiving massive financial support from both the national government and development partners over the years. His remarks came after a meeting with former NGOs Board chair Fazul Mahamed at his Nairobi office, where the two discussed governance and development challenges affecting the region.
In a statement shared on his official social media platforms, the former deputy president described Northern Kenya as “the ailing silent patient of our Republic,” arguing that decades of public spending have failed to translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of residents. He noted that the region remains plagued by drought, chronic poverty, insecurity, and poor infrastructure, even as large sums of money continue to be allocated to its counties.
Gachagua revealed that since the introduction of devolution in 2013, the counties of Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, and Isiolo have collectively received more than one trillion shillings. According to him, the funds have been drawn from multiple sources, including national government equitable share allocations, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), the Equalisation Fund, and disbursements from the Kenya Roads Board.
“The region’s suffering cannot be blamed on a lack of resources,” Gachagua said. “The money has been there. What has been missing is accountability and responsible leadership.”
He questioned why key indicators such as access to clean water, healthcare services, quality education, and road networks remain poor despite the huge financial investments made over the years. Gachagua argued that corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and weak oversight have undermined development efforts in the region.
The DCP leader called for honest national conversations about leadership failures and urged residents of Northern Kenya to demand transparency from their elected leaders. He emphasized that real development can only be achieved when public funds are used responsibly and leaders are held accountable for their actions.
Gachagua concluded by saying that Northern Kenya deserves better and should no longer remain a “silent patient,” insisting that sustained progress will only come through accountability, integrity, and people-centered leadership.
Gachagua attacks Northern Kenya leaders
