Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged residents of Northern Kenya to re-elect President William Ruto for a second term, praising him for abolishing the controversial ID vetting system that had long disadvantaged the region.

Speaking on Sunday, August 24, 2025, during the Lagdera Constituency Economic Empowerment event in Modogashe, Garissa County, Kindiki hailed the president’s decision to end the lengthy and discriminatory process that made it difficult for young people in the North to obtain national identity cards and passports.

“Hakuna serikali ambayo imeunganisha Wakenya kuliko serikali hii inayoongozwa na William Ruto,” Kindiki said. “For over sixty years, young people from Northern Kenya could not get IDs without going through a process that was long and discriminatory. President Ruto came to Wajir town and signed the order to end that system so that all Kenyans go through the same procedure to access IDs and passports. You will give him a second term because of that act of justice.”

The Deputy President also praised leaders from the North Eastern leadership caucus, led by Eldas MP Adan Keynan and Dadaab MP Farah Maalim, for working closely with the government to champion the region’s development agenda.

Billions invested

He highlighted key infrastructure and development projects worth billions of shillings currently underway in the area. These include the 315-kilometre LAPSSET corridor road linking Lamu to Isiolo at a cost of Ksh27 billion, and the 750-kilometre Mandera–Isiolo road valued at Ksh100 billion, expected to be completed in 2027.

Additionally, electricity connectivity worth Ksh1.7 billion is ongoing across Garissa County, with 7,200 households set to benefit. In Lagdera alone, Ksh380 million has been allocated to connect 2,100 households to power.

Other government projects include the construction of hybrid power plants in Isiolo, Wajir, and Mandera counties, new markets, affordable housing units, and student hostels for universities and technical institutes in Garissa County.

Kindiki assured residents that Northern Kenya would no longer be left behind in national development.

“This region is part of Kenya. Every project happening elsewhere is being done here too. We are building roads, modern markets, expanding electricity, and more,” he said.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who accompanied the DP, echoed the sentiments, emphasising that the people of Northern Kenya are respected Kenyans who contribute significantly to the country’s economy.