In a bold move to bridge decades of regional disparities and propel socio-economic growth, the Kenyan government has unveiled a transformative Sh3 billion infrastructure initiative in Wajir County, focusing on electricity connectivity, affordable housing, student hostels, and modern markets.
This ambitious program, announced amid an electrifying economic empowerment forum in Tarbaj Constituency, promises to light up homes, create jobs, and foster grassroots entrepreneurship in one of Kenya’s most underserved regions.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, leading a high-profile delegation, emphasized the administration’s unwavering commitment to equitable development, ensuring no corner of the nation is left in the shadows.
The North Eastern region of Kenya, encompassing counties like Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera, has long grappled with historical marginalization stemming from colonial-era policies and post-independence neglect.
Characterized by arid landscapes, nomadic pastoralism, and limited access to basic services, the area has faced challenges such as low electrification rates—hovering below 20% in some parts—high poverty levels, and inadequate infrastructure.
This has stifled economic potential, with many residents relying on subsistence farming, livestock herding, and small-scale trade.
However, under the Kenya Kwanza administration, led by President William Ruto, there’s a renewed push to integrate these frontier counties into the national development agenda.
Building on earlier investments, such as the Sh3.6 billion last-mile electrification project launched by President Ruto in February 2025, the latest Sh3 billion allocation marks a significant escalation in efforts to harness the region’s untapped resources, including its strategic location near international borders and growing renewable energy potential.
At the heart of the initiative is a massive electricity rollout under the Last Mile Connectivity Program, designed to connect over 18,000 households across Wajir’s constituencies to reliable power for the first time.
“Electricity Connectivity projects worth 3 billion shillings are underway in all the constituencies of Wajir County, targeting 18,000 additional households,” Kindiki declared in his full statement during the event on August 24, 2025.
In Tarbaj Constituency alone, the government is channeling Sh556 million to link 2,837 households, a game-changer for local businesses and households alike. This investment isn’t just about flipping switches; it’s about powering progress.
Reliable electricity will enable small-scale traders to extend business hours, preserve perishable goods, and adopt modern technologies, thereby spurring entrepreneurship and reducing reliance on costly diesel generators.
Complementing the power surge is the construction of four hybrid power plants across the region, including one in Wajir, to ensure sustainable and resilient energy supply.
These plants, blending solar, wind, and diesel sources, address the intermittency issues common in remote areas while aligning with Kenya’s green energy goals.
The initiative draws from successful models in neighboring counties like Mandera and Turkana, where similar hybrid systems have boosted rural electrification and attracted private investments.
Experts note that such projects could reduce energy costs by up to 30% for consumers, fostering a ripple effect on education, healthcare, and digital inclusion—key pillars for long-term development in North Eastern Kenya.
Beyond electrification, the program extends to affordable housing and student hostels, tackling the dual challenges of shelter and youth unemployment.
“Other than providing decent housing and jobs for hundreds of young people in Wajir County, the affordable housing projects, hostels for students in various colleges and technical institutes as well as markets under construction have stimulated local economic growth,” Kindiki elaborated in his address.
These developments are poised to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, from construction workers to suppliers, injecting vitality into the local economy.
In a region where youth bulge meets limited opportunities, these hostels will support technical and vocational education, equipping the next generation with skills for emerging sectors like renewable energy and agribusiness.
Modern markets form another cornerstone, aimed at formalizing trade and enhancing market access for micro and small-scale enterprises (MSEs).
The empowerment forum in Tarbaj, attended by hundreds of traders, underscored this focus, with Kindiki urging residents to seize these opportunities.
“To accelerate the socio-economic transformation of Counties in the North Eastern Region of our Country, the Government is prioritising the infrastructural development projects and programmes, including construction of roads, modern markets and electricity connectivity to spur grassroots entrepreneurship and improve the quality of life for residents,” he stated.
Recent reports highlight an additional Sh4.8 billion allocated for 12 key roads in Wajir, further improving connectivity and trade links with urban centers like Nairobi and international routes to Somalia and Ethiopia. This infrastructure web will not only reduce transport costs but also attract investors, potentially transforming Wajir into a logistics hub.
The event drew a constellation of national and regional leaders, symbolizing unity in development.
Accompanying Kindiki were National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Senator Abass Sheikh Mohamed, and MPs including Fatuma Abdi Jehow (Wajir Woman Representative), Farah Maalim (Dadaab), Abdirahman Mohammed Abdi (Lafey), Adan Keynan (Eldas), Abdi Hussein Barre (Tarbaj), and others from neighboring counties.
Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Abdi Jehow echoed the call for community engagement, urging women and youth to capitalize on these investments.
“We reaffirm our commitment to work with the Government in transforming Northern Kenya,” she said, highlighting the inclusive nature of the projects.
This Sh3 billion injection comes at a pivotal time, as Kenya intensifies efforts to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 under Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
In Wajir, where only a fraction of the population currently enjoys grid power, the program could lift thousands out of poverty, with studies showing that electrification correlates with a 10-20% increase in household incomes.
Moreover, by integrating hybrid renewables, it supports Kenya’s climate commitments, reducing carbon emissions while building resilience against droughts that plague the region.
As the dust settles on this landmark announcement, residents of Wajir and the broader North Eastern Kenya stand on the cusp of a brighter future.
With power lines extending, homes rising, and markets bustling, the government’s pledge of “no region left behind” is materializing into tangible progress.
Yet, success will hinge on effective implementation, community involvement, and sustained funding. For now, the spark has been ignited—Wajir is powering up for prosperity.
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