By Abdihakim Siyad- Leaders from Northern Kenya used a major public gathering to issue urgent calls for an end to Wajir County’s persistent electricity crisis, a problem that has left residents enduring power cuts lasting up to 20 hours a day.
The prolonged outages have disrupted businesses, schools, hospitals, and households, forcing many to rely on expensive diesel generators just to keep essential services running.
Speaking as Chief Guest, Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale on Sunday challenged leaders to embrace transparency and accountability as they push for a long-overdue solution.
Duale announced that a high-level meeting with President William Ruto and North Eastern leaders will take place early next week, with the electricity crisis as the top agenda.
He further revealed that the government is preparing a solar grid project aimed at stabilizing power supply across Wajir, assuring residents that the intervention will be rolled out before the holy month of Ramadhan.
“Early next week we will convene a high-level meeting with President Ruto and regional leaders to address the prolonged power outages in Wajir County. Before Ramadhan, the President will find a lasting solution,” Duale said.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan echoed the urgency, recalling decades of unfulfilled promises by previous administrations from Moi to Kibaki to Uhuru.
“Hapa Wajir kuna ukosefu wa umeme. I will convene an urgent political consultative meeting of Wajir County and seek an appointment with the President so that the issue of power outages is sorted once and for all. This is the time to solve Wajir’s electricity problem, and we must ensure this government delivers,” Keynan emphasized.
Both leaders also warned that clan politics and negotiated democracy had long hindered development in the region, urging the Bahgeri community and all Northern Kenya leaders to unite around practical, people-centered solutions rather than political divisions.
Their strong statements came during a historic gathering where Sultan Hussein Sultan Sugal Sultan Iman was crowned as the Supreme Leader of the Bahgeri community.
The red-carpet coronation, attended by political, business, and community figures, showcased rich cultural heritage while also amplifying residents’ hopes.
