NAIROBI, Kenya- Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has fired back in a contentious debate on corruption and regional marginalization, saying the conversation shouldn’t be derailed by political digression.
While agreeing that Northern Frontier District (NFD) regions have suffered historic marginalization and systemic discrimination since independence, Ahmednasir insists the current debate must remain focused on endemic corruption that impoverishes ordinary citizens and enriches political elites.
“The debate isn’t about the history of NFD or underdevelopment, it is about corruption,” he said.
Ahmednasir stated, arguing that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s message resonates with voters in the North not because it addresses marginalization, but because it taps into frustration with local leadership failures.
The lawyer acknowledges progress under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution and devolution, noting that Northern counties have received over Sh1 trillion in county allocations since 2013, similar to other regions.
However, he faulted local leadership for failing to translate funds into meaningful development.
“The conventional wisdom is that governors steal, look at Nairobi, but we have leaders like Prof. Kibwana and Anyang’ Nyong’o who defy that stereotype. Northern Kenya, however, has seen corruption on an industrial scale,” he said.
As an example, he pointed to Wajir County under Governor Mohamed Abdi (2017–2022), claiming an estimated 90 percent of budget allocations were misappropriated by associates and clan networks, with minimal oversight from anti‑corruption bodies.
Despite billions in public funds flowing to counties such as Garissa and Marsabit, the lawyer asserts there is “no meaningful change in the lives of the people,” and accuses leaders of privatizing public resources with impunity.
“Don’t blame Hon. Gachagua for stating the hard truth, blame your own leaders if you want real accountability. The citizenry are tired and deserve better,” he said
“Despite billions of money poured in these counties, we see no meaningful change in the lives of the people of Garissa and Marsabit. It is indisputable that Leaders and their sidekicks have privatised public funds, and no one is holding them to account.”
The issues of grand corruption and wanton theft of devolution and CDF funds by the leadership of Northern Kenya is resonating very well with the poverty ravaged masses of Northern Kenya. In fact this is a game changer! H. E RIGATHI GACHAGUA in his own crude and unsophisticated
