President William Ruto has issued a formal apology to the people of Northern Kenya over decades of state-sanctioned marginalization and neglect, saying past government policies deliberately locked the region out of national development.

Speaking during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations at Wajir Stadium on Monday, Ruto said the historic exclusion of the region had left communities without adequate roads, water, schools, health facilities and other basic services.

The celebrations marked the first time a national holiday was held in Northern Kenya, a moment the President described as both symbolic and necessary in confronting the country’s past failures.

Ruto singled out Cabinet Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965, saying the policy unfairly directed public investment to areas considered to have ‘high potential,’ while regions such as Northern Kenya were dismissed as too remote, too dry and too difficult to develop.

“That was wrong then, it is wrong now and it will forever remain wrong,” Ruto said.

“On behalf of the people and the Republic of Kenya, I offer my sincere apology for the marginalization you have endured over the years. Poleni sana ndugu zetu. It was never meant to be this way.”

The president said his administration was working to dismantle the legacy of exclusion through targeted development, affirmative action and reforms aimed at giving residents of Northern Kenya equal access to national services.

He pointed to the government’s decision in February 2025 to abolish what he described as discriminatory requirements in the issuance of national identity cards and birth certificates to residents of the region.

“Every Kenyan deserves equal protection, equal dignity and equal treatment under the law,” he said.

However, Ruto clarified that the policy change did not abolish citizenship verification and should not be interpreted as an opening for foreigners to acquire Kenyan documents illegally.

On education, the president said the government had established teacher training colleges in Wajir, Kotulo and Mandera to complement Garissa Teacher Training College. He said more than 4,600 young teacher trainees from the region were already enrolled in the institutions.

He also directed the Ministry of Education to develop a framework for integrating Duksi, Madrassa and the Programme for Pastoral Instruction into the national education system, saying education must reflect the realities of pastoralist communities.

Ruto further ordered relevant government agencies to fast-track the establishment of Wajir University, saying higher education must be brought closer to the people.

On healthcare, the president said more than 800,000 residents in the region had registered with the Social Health Authority, adding that the scheme had paid Sh8.1 billion in claims to hospitals in Wajir, Garissa and Mandera.

He also announced that the government is investing Sh38.5 billion in affordable housing across the three counties, a programme he said would create jobs for youth and stimulate local economies.

“Our message to the youth of Northern Kenya is simple: Your future will not be defined by your geography. It will be defined by your talent, your skills, and your determination,” he said.

On infrastructure, Ruto said the 750-kilometre Northern Kenya Gateway Corridor linking Isiolo, Wajir and Mandera was progressing well and would connect communities that had long remained isolated.

He also announced the establishment of a Sh5 billion County Livestock Investment Company to support more than 350,000 pastoralists in 21 arid and semi-arid counties to establish and own livestock enterprises.

The president said the initiative would help pastoralist communities derive greater value from livestock and participate more meaningfully in the national economy.

At the request of local leaders, Ruto agreed to rename the refurbished Wajir Stadium after the late Wajir West MP and former Cabinet minister Ahmed Khalif, who died in a 2003 plane crash.

After the celebrations, the president commissioned the new Accident and Emergency Wing at the Wajir County Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Those present included First Lady Rachel Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Cabinet Secretaries, senior security officials, diplomats, MPs, MCAs and local leaders.

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