Kenyan President William Ruto has begun a week-long tour of North Eastern Kenya, covering Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, and Isiolo counties. His visit aims to consolidate support in a historically marginalized region while launching key development projects, including the Garissa LAPSSET project, affordable housing, and the Tana River Bridge construction.
The visit comes amid growing political tensions, with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) intensifying grassroots activities in the region. However, the party faces stiff competition from the United Democratic Movement (UDM), led by Mandera Senator Ali Roba, who has criticized UDA’s sudden interest in the area as politically motivated.
At the same time, security concerns dominate the region. Local authorities have reportedly sent chiefs to negotiate the release of elders abducted by Alshabab in Wargaduud, Mandera County. The militant group kidnapped five elders on Sunday, underscoring the persistent threat in North Eastern Kenya.
Ruto, addressing the security situation, reaffirmed his commitment to fighting terrorism, stating that no part of Kenya would be surrendered to criminals. “The foolish ones think that by kidnapping elders, they can force me to cancel my visit to Mandera and the North. Let them know I will not cancel anything— in fact, I will spend the night here. Their actions will not intimidate us. We have already begun freeing North Eastern from Alshabab, and we will continue our security operations until we eliminate them completely,” he declared.
His visit also follows a recent High Court ruling that annulled the 2019 census results for Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties due to major discrepancies. The decision, which orders a fresh mini-census within a year, could significantly impact constituency boundaries, resource distribution, and political representation ahead of the 2027 elections.
With the political landscape shifting and security issues escalating, Ruto’s engagements in the region will be closely watched. His ability to address these challenges could determine whether UDA strengthens its foothold in North Eastern Kenya or loses ground to rival factions.