Governor Abdullahi, through his official X account, dared Gachagua to compare what Wajir has achieved with any county of his choice over the past eight years. He said he is ready to allow any agency, governmental or non-governmental, to conduct the assessment and provide an objective comparison.
The governor emphasized that certain developments, such as tarmacked roads and electricity distribution, are not part of the devolution mandate. He also noted that Gachagua never visited Wajir County during his tenure as deputy president, challenging him to state any specific date or location if otherwise.
Gachagua had earlier stated that after 13 years of devolution, Northern Kenya counties have lagged in developing educational institutions. He argued that leaders from these regions should not lecture others about affirmative action while their children continue to rely on facilities built elsewhere.
He further compared Northern Kenya to counties in Western, Rift Valley, and Mt Kenya regions, noting that smaller investments there had resulted in well-established institutions. Gachagua claimed that during his travels as deputy president, he observed limited progress in public institutions despite consistent fund transfers to the region.
Governor Abdullahi’s response seeks to highlight Wajir County’s achievements under his leadership while defending the broader Northern Kenya region. He insisted that any discrepancies in development should be measured objectively, taking into account the mandates of devolution and prorating allocations appropriately.
The exchange underscores growing tensions between political leaders over regional development and resource utilization. Both figures have maintained strong positions, reflecting wider debates about equity, accountability, and the impact of devolution on Kenya’s educational infrastructure.
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