Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed that the government will not roll back recent reforms making it easier for Kenyans living along border regions to obtain identification documents. He said the changes, championed by President William Ruto, were meant to dismantle years of discriminatory practices that unfairly targeted certain communities.
Speaking at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, after meeting Members of Parliament from Northern Kenya to review progress on ongoing development projects, Prof. Kindiki said the reforms have unsettled some people but are necessary for building a united country. He stressed his belief in inclusion, equity, and equal treatment for all citizens, noting that regions which have historically lagged behind deserve special government attention.
Kindiki pointed to a range of infrastructure projects currently underway in the north, from roads and electricity to water systems, modern markets, and affordable housing, all being implemented under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. He singled out the Isiolo–Modogashe–Wajir–Kotulo–Elwak–Rhamu–Mandera road, a 750-kilometre stretch designed to unlock the region’s economic potential.
The Deputy President also hailed the securitization of the roads levy as a breakthrough in funding, which has brought contractors back to sites that had been abandoned for years. This, he said, will accelerate work on the Northern Kenya roads, including the Lamu–Ijara–Garissa and Isiolo–Mandera routes, which he described as game-changers for both the region and the country at large.
On healthcare, Kindiki acknowledged that the rollout of Universal Health Coverage under the Social Health Authority faced early resistance but has now seen over 25.4 million Kenyans enrolled. With more than 50,000 people registering daily, the target is to have 35 million covered by 2027. He noted that the next phase will focus on eliminating delays, fraudulent claims, and other operational challenges, while ensuring medical supplies go directly from KEMSA to the health facilities where they are needed.
The Deputy President also addressed concerns about the affordable housing program, saying it is a nationwide initiative with benefits for every county. He predicted that in two decades, 60 percent of Kenyans will live in urban centres, including new and growing towns in counties like Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera. Building modern housing and markets in these areas, he said, will be key to shaping Kenya’s economic future.
