Kenya: Ruto Offers Historic Apology to Northern Kenya Over Years of State Neglect

Wajir — President William Ruto has issued a formal apology to the people of Northern Kenya for decades of State-sanctioned marginalisation and neglect that have resulted in the region severely lagging behind in national development.

The President said the Cabinet Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 on economic planning unfairly concentrated development on the so called "high potential" areas at the expense of the vast northern frontier, which was deemed too remote and dry to warrant any meaningful development.

Consequently, he said, the region has suffered for decades without adequate roads, water, healthcare or schools.

"That was wrong then, it is wrong now and it will forever remain wrong," he said when he presided over the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations at Wajir Stadium on Monday, the first ever national holiday to be marked in Northern Kenya.

President Ruto said: "On behalf of the people and the Republic of Kenya, I offer my sincere apology for the marginalisation you have endured over the years. Poleni sana ndugu zetu. It was never meant to be this way."

Present were First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Chief of Kenya Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, Parliamentary Speakers Moses Wetang'ula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi (Senate), Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior), Soipan Tuya (Defence) and Aden Duale (Health).

Also in attendance were Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Vice Chief of Kenya Defence Forces Lieutenant-General John Omenda, and Service Commanders Lieutenant-General David Ketter (Army), Major-General Benard Waliaula (Airforce), Major-General Paul Otieno (Navy), and the diplomatic corps.

However, the President explained that his administration is dismantling the legacy of exclusion in Northern Kenya through affirmative action initiatives.

One of these measures, he noted, was his decision in February 2025 to abolish the discrimination that residents of the region had endured over the issuance of national identity cards and birth certificates.

"Every Kenyan deserves equal protection, equal dignity and equal treatment under the law," he said.

The President clarified that the measure did not abolish verification of citizenship, and in no way invited foreigners to acquire Kenyan documents illegally.

On education, he said the government has established Wajir, Kotulo, and Mandera teacher training colleges to complement Garissa Teacher Training College.

As a result, more than 4,600 young teacher trainees from the region are currently enrolled in the colleges, building the human capital nece