Ruto unveils Ksh15B development package for Wajir County
By Emmanuel Rono, June 2, 2026President William Ruto has announced a Ksh15 billion investment package for Wajir County that will fund the construction of modern markets, student hostels and affordable housing units, as the government steps up development projects in Northern Kenya.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 2026, the Head of State said the initiative will include the construction of 18 modern markets, 2,000-bed student hostels, and 4,600 affordable housing units across the country, targeting long-term economic transformation in the North Eastern region.
The announcement was made during the president’s visit to various towns in Wajir County as part of a wider tour of the North Eastern region after the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations, which were hosted in Wajir for the first time in Kenya’s history.
The visit forms part of the government’s broader effort to expand infrastructure and public services in a region that has long faced development challenges.
“We are investing Ksh15 billion in Wajir County to build 18 modern markets, 2,000-bed student hostels and 4,600 affordable housing units, initiatives that will expand economic opportunities, improve living standards and create jobs for the residents,” Ruto said.
“Laid the foundation stone for the 580-bed Eldas Teachers Training College student hostels, Eldas Constituency, Wajir County.”
Govt investments
He also commissioned the Ksh460 million Eldas Water Supply Project, a key infrastructure development expected to boost access to clean and reliable water for residents. In addition, he committed a further Ksh900 million to enhance water access across the area.
Ruto later addressed residents in Eldas town, urging parents in Northern Kenya to fully embrace government investment in education by ensuring that children attend school.
“Later, addressed residents of Eldas town and urged parents across Northern Kenya to take full advantage of the Government’s investment in education by ensuring their children attend school,” Ruto said.
President Ruto’s apology
Speaking during the Madaraka Day celebration at the Wajir Stadium in Wajir County on Monday, June 1, 2026, President Ruto said that the people of northern Kenya have long been subjected to decades of historical marginalisation and economic neglect, committing to them that this is going to be a thing of the past.
“Decades after independence, this region was left behind. Fellow citizens, I want to tell you that on behalf of the people of Kenya today, as I stand HERE as president and leader of our great nation, to the people of Kenya in northern Kenya for this marginalisation, I want to apologise on behalf of the nation of Kenya,” Ruto said.