Former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, has announced his firm agenda of holding North Eastern leaders accountable.

Taking to his official X account on Friday, February 6, 2026, Gachagua announced his commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds allocated to the Northern Kenya counties.

“Our commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds allocated to the Northern Kenya counties remains unwavering,” Gachagua said.

On his part, Gachagua explained that the people of Northern Kenya have faced marginalization and have been held hostage by the clan elders.

According to the former deputy president, North Eastern residents have also been held hostage by their elected leaders since independence.

“We are acutely aware that the people of Northern Kenya have faced marginalization and have been held hostage by the clan elders and their own elected leaders more than successive governments since independence,” Gachagua added.

While affirming his commitment to the Northern Kenya residents, Gachagua revealed how the leaders have been hiding.

“The era in which leaders from Northern Kenya could hide their ineptitude and incompetencies behind Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965 is firmly in the past. The Constitution of Kenya 2010, along with devolution, devolved funds, equalisation funds, development partners’ funding and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), has cured these issues progressively and permanently, and the genie is already out of the bottle,” he explained.

Northeastern tour

His remarks come days after Gachagua announced plans to hold tours in the Northeastern region.

He made the announcement during an interview with local media stations on Thursday, January 22, 2026, stating that he will be touring Isiolo, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, and Mandera all by air to engage with northern communities and discuss their rights.

Gachagua further stated that he will act as the spokesman for the northern communities, as, according to him, their leaders have chosen to remain silent while their constituents endure untold suffering, citing the ongoing drought affecting the five northern counties as an example.

“Hivi karibuni nitatembea Garissa, nitatembea Mandera, nitaenda Wajir, nikaongee na wananchi, tuonane macho kwa macho. I must tell them what is happening; I must share with them my ideas and what they can do to liberate themselves.”

He took issue with northern leaders, saying that the majority do not reside in the areas where they were elected. Most live in Nairobi, while some reside outside the country, causing them to lose touch with the realities on the ground.

Reflecting on his tenure as Deputy President before his ouster in October 2024, Gachagua explained that whenever he wanted to tour the northern counties, leaders from the region would request space on his aircraft. After completing the assignment, he noted, none of the leaders remained on the ground with their constituents or accompanied him back to Nairobi.