Gachagua Hosts NEDI Forum to Accelerate Development in Northern Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya – In a move to accelerate development in Kenya’s most marginalized regions, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday chaired the North and North Eastern Development Initiative (NEDI) forum at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi.

The high-level consultative meeting, which brought together Cabinet Secretaries, senior government officials, and other stakeholders, marks a renewed focus on the government’s commitment to address the unique challenges faced by the North and North Eastern counties.

The forum centered on advancing six core projects under NEDI, a program targeting ten counties: Garissa, Isiolo, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, and West Pokot.

These regions, historically underserved, face critical issues ranging from inadequate infrastructure to water scarcity, and the meeting underscored a multi-faceted approach to sustainable development.

Among the key projects discussed were the Grid Solar Access Project, designed to provide affordable electricity to underserved areas, and the Climate Smart Agriculture Project, which seeks to equip local farmers with tools and strategies to adapt to increasingly unpredictable climate conditions.

The Water and Sanitation Development Project and North Eastern Transport Improvement Project were also on the agenda, aimed at bolstering basic infrastructure and connectivity in a region that has long grappled with both harsh geography and underinvestment.

With climate change and infrastructure at the heart of the discussions, the forum also highlighted the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project, an initiative that supports communities affected by cross-border displacement, and the National Safety Net Program Additional Financing, aimed at providing a social safety net for the most vulnerable populations.

“The development of these regions is not just a matter of equity; it’s essential for national stability and economic growth,” said Gachagua. “Our goal is to create self-sustaining communities that can thrive in the face of both environmental and economic challenges.”