By Abdihakim Siyad
NAIROBI– A section of Members of Parliament from Kenya’s North Eastern region have sharply criticized President William Ruto, accusing him of sidelining their counties in his State of the Nation Address delivered on Thursday Led by Wajir North MP Ibrahim Abdi Saney, the MPs expressed deep disappointment, claiming that years of political support for the government have not translated into tangible development in their region.
Speaking to journalists outside Parliament, Saney said the President “has deliberately ignored Northern Kenya in development and progress.” He questioned why the speech highlighted achievements in other parts of the country while leaving Northern Kenya, which makes up about 70 percent of Kenya’s landmass, largely absent.
“Where is equity? Where is equality? Are we not Kenyans? We had the highest hope in the fifth president, but that hope is slipping away,” Saney said.
Fafi MP Salah Yakub echoed these concerns, criticizing the President for focusing on cash crops such as coffee, cashew nuts, and sugarcane, while ignoring livestock, the mainstay of the region’s economy.
“The President has talked of agriculture in terms of coffee, sugarcane, and all other crops, but when it came to livestock, there was nothing substantial. The figures he gave are not the ones we really have. We left while he was speaking in protest because we feel we have been left out of the presidential speech and government achievements. Northern Kenya has been ignored,” Yakub said.
“The speech covered most of what the President has achieved, but Northern Kenya was really missing out. He mentioned several roads, none from Northern Kenya. He mentioned several dams, none from our region. When it comes to livestock, which contributes far more to the GDP than coffee, nothing meaningful was said.”
Saney was equally vocal, suggesting that if the government continues to treat the region as a burden rather than a partner, Northern Kenya should consider self-determination.
“If Kenya feels we are an appendage to the other part of the country, if we are a liability yet taxpayers, then the only option is to allow us to secede. Otherwise, this is not the Kenya we envisaged. We wanted a unitary, considerate, and inclusive Kenya. And the President had a vision for the livestock sector in Northern Kenya — where are all these? We are in the fourth year,” Saney said.
When asked about other MPs cheering “two terms” for President Ruto, Saney explained his dissent:
“Yes, it is true they are talking about dwelling of roads while I don’t have a road. I don’t have water for domestic use or livestock. I am a UDA member, but this time, re-election must be qualified and justified. I will not just elect; I must elect for a purpose and reason.”
Other North Eastern MPs also voiced frustrations over infrastructure and regional marginalization. Wajir South MP Mohammed Adow highlighted the dilapidated state of roads connecting the region, noting that cattle tracks remain the only transport option during rains.
“We have absolutely no information when construction will start on critical roads like the Modogashe–Samatar section. This section links the three counties in Northern Kenya and is the most important part for our livelihoods,” Adow said.
Wajir East MP Adan Daud added a blunt warning:
“If we are part of Kenya, we should partake in the national cake. If we are not, we should be separated from it.”
The MPs’ walkout during the President’s address was a symbolic protest against years of neglect and broken promises. They emphasized that Northern Kenya has long supported government agendas, rallying behind the slogan “TUTAM”, symbolizing trust and cooperation. Yet, today’s speech underscored that their region continues to be overlooked.
“If President Ruto believes Northern Kenya is a burden, then he should let us secede. Why are we continually subjected to mistreatment?” Sane
