NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Chief Justice David Maraga has supported concerns raised by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over massive corruption in North Eastern Kenya.
Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of working with Northern Kenya leaders despite their failure to deliver basic development in the region.
He said Ruto’s government was out of touch with the region’s realities.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Maraga said issues highlighted by former Deputy President, including drought, poor road infrastructure, lack of electricity, inadequate water supply, and limited youth opportunities, were legitimate and urgently require government attention.
“Let us be clear,” Maraga wrote. “The issues raised by DCP leader Gachagua on the neglect of our people in North Eastern Kenya: the drought, the absence of roads, lack of electricity, inadequate water and lack of opportunities for our young people, are all legitimate.”
The former Chief Justice said he had witnessed the challenges first-hand during his ongoing road tour across the region under what he calls the #UkatibaCaravan initiative.
“I have witnessed this first hand during my on-going road trip in the region,” he stated.
Maraga also criticised the President’s approach to public engagement, claiming national leaders rely on controlled events rather than direct interaction with citizens.
“Of course, you would not know this, President Ruto, because you fly to the region in helicopters and address manufactured crowds where you only give the microphone to pre-arranged speakers like Duale to speak. You do not engage directly with our people. You are out of touch,” he added.
The remarks add a new layer to emerging political tensions within the Kenya Kwanza administration, as public differences between senior leaders spill into the open.
While Gachagua has recently raised concerns about equitable development and inclusion, the Presidency has consistently maintained that significant investments have been directed toward historically marginalised regions.
North Eastern Kenya has long faced structural development challenges. Article 56 of the Constitution obligates the State to implement affirmative action programmes to ensure that minorities and marginalised groups have access to opportunities in education, employment, infrastructure, and political representation.
The Equalisation Fund, established under Article 204, was specifically created to accelerate development in underserved areas.
Governance analysts note that development in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) remains a persistent national policy issue cutting across administrations.
