Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued an appeal over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Mandera and other parts of Northern Kenya, describing the conditions facing women and children as “inhuman and degrading” as prolonged drought continues to ravage the region.

In his X statement on Friday, January 23, 2025, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said he was overwhelmed by information and evidence emerging from the area, detailing daily misery endured by vulnerable families who lack food, water and necessities, hours after he was interviewed by Northen Kenya radion sations at his Karen residency on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Worsening situation

“God have mercy on these innocent children and women from Mandera,” Gachagua said, adding that the scale of suffering in the North has been ignored for far too long.

He called on Kenyans from all walks of life to stand in solidarity with communities in Northern Kenya, insisting that their plight should not be treated as a regional issue but a national responsibility.

“We must, collectively, without fear, come through for our fellow Kenyans in the northern part of our nation,” he stated.

The former Mathira Member of Parliament also took aim at leaders from the region, accusing some of living in luxury while residents struggle to survive. According to Gachagua, public funds meant for development and drought mitigation have failed to translate into meaningful relief for affected communities.

“They are going through unspeakable indignity while their leaders wallow in opulence and luxury using taxpayers’ money meant for development in the North,” he said.

Gachagua urged citizens to speak out and demand accountability, stressing that the people of Northern Kenya deserve dignity, protection and equal treatment like all other Kenyans. “I call upon all Kenyans to rise up and speak for the North. They too are Kenyans,” he added.

Northern Kenya has been grappling with severe food insecurity following prolonged drought for years, with humanitarian agencies warning that women and children are the most affected due to malnutrition, displacement and lack of access to clean water and healthcare.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Gachagua highlighted huge chunks of national resources allocated to salvage the ailing situation in the northern part of Kenya. However, Gachagua argued that the funds in trillions cannot be reflected on the ground in matters of development.

Trillions misused

”The region has been ravaged by underdevelopment, drought, suffering, and entrenched poverty. This tragedy cannot be explained by a lack of resources. Since devolution began in 2013, the counties of Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, and Isiolo have received over one trillion shillings in taxpayer money through national transfers of the equitable share, NG-CDF, equalisation fund, and disbursements from the Kenya Roads Board,” he said.

”Beyond domestic financing, trillions more have flowed into the region through multilateral development finance institutions, bilateral development partners, United Nations agencies, international NGOs, and other international development partners. Yet, despite this massive inflow of resources, there is no tangible progress to show on the ground,” Rigathi Gachagua decried.

”This is not a failure of the people. It is a failure of leadership and accountability. Their leaders have treated public office as a private investment vehicle. They spend most of their time in Nairobi, building apartments in every corner of the city, instead of translating public resources into water, roads, schools, and health facilities for their people back at home,” Gachagua said.

Rigathi Gachagua said that northern Kenya must not be condemned to further prolonged suffering, adding that to create the possibility of healing, Kenyans must confront the leaders with firmness, fairness, and fearlessness.