In a statement shared on X on Wednesday night, Gachagua described the region as “the ailing silent patient of our Republic.”
Gachagua praised the entrepreneurial culture of both Somali and Kikuyu communities, arguing that Northern Kenya’s challenges cannot be attributed to the people.
He said Somalis and Kikuyus share a strong tradition of self-reliance and enterprise that has helped anchor Kenya’s economy, particularly in Nairobi and other urban centres.
However, he expressed concern that this cultural strength has not translated into meaningful development in counties such as Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, and Isiolo.
According to Gachagua, the region has received more than Sh1 trillion since the introduction of devolution in 2013 through national government transfers, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, the Equalisation Fund, and the Kenya Roads Board.
He added that additional resources, amounting to trillions of shillings, have flowed into Northern Kenya through multilateral lenders, bilateral partners, United Nations agencies, and international non-governmental organisations.
Despite this, he said, residents continue to grapple with poverty, drought, and limited access to basic services.
Gachagua accused regional leaders of prioritising personal wealth accumulation over service delivery, claiming many spend most of their time in Nairobi instead of overseeing development projects in their counties.
He argued that public office has been treated as a private investment opportunity, to the detriment of local communities.
The former deputy president said he held discussions in Nairobi with Fazul Mahamed, accompanied by Democracy for the Citizens Party deputy leader Cleophas Malala, where the issue of accountability featured prominently.
He maintained that holding leaders to account should not be viewed as hostility, but as a necessary step towards recovery and long-term development in Northern Kenya.
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