President William Ruto among other leaders in Mandera on February 4, 2025/PCSPresident William Ruto has pledged to remove the vetting of Identification Cards for Northeastern residents.
The President said that he will ensure children of Northern Kenya are given the same opportunities as those in other regions.
Ruto said that the current vetting of ID cards in Northeastern is discriminatory.
“We will remove vetting in the processing of National Identification Cards and passports, which has derailed the people of Northeastern Kenya for far too long,” Ruto said.
The president said the government is keen on ending the marginalisation of northern Kenya through development and policy changes.
He emphasised that the days when the region was not regarded as part of the country are over.
“It is my responsibility to make sure Kenya is united and every Kenyan is treated equally,” he said.
The President was speaking in Mandera town as he began a four-day development tour of the Northeastern region.
On infrastructure, the President explained that the government will expand the road network in the Northeastern region to open up the area and spur socio-economic transformation.
He noted that the government is building the 750km Isiolo-Mandera road to integrate the North Eastern region with the rest of the country.
He explained that the Sh100 billion project is jointly funded by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, Arab banks, and the Government of Kenya.
“Already, seven contractors are on site building the road,” he said.
On electricity, Ruto stated that the government is investing Sh2.6 billion to connect Mandera County to power.
He added that the government is also working with Ethiopia to connect Mandera County to the grid from the neighbouring country's power line.
Robust measures are being implemented, he said, to promote livestock farming and ensure that farmers earn a decent living.
Ruto reiterated the government's commitment to improving learning institutions in the region to enhance access to education and provide children with equal opportunities.
He explained that this will ensure equal opportunities for all, fostering equity and making sure no child is left behind in education.
While speaking to trainees at Mandera Teachers Training College, he pledged government support for the construction of 10 classrooms and hostels to accommodate more students.
“We want to give students more opportunities to learn in this institution,” he said.
Later, he assessed the progress of the Mandera Water Supply and Sewerage Infrastructure Project, which is set to benefit more than 12,000 households.
