President William Ruto has reaffirmed his commitment to rescuing five chiefs who were abducted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera County.
Speaking during his four-day tour of the Northeastern region, Ruto assured residents that security agencies, including the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), are actively pursuing the perpetrators to ensure the safe return of the officials.
“These chiefs must return home,” Ruto declared, emphasizing that the government will not bow to criminal threats. He noted that the militants’ actions were meant to instill fear and deter his visit, but he remained resolute in his mission.
The president also warned Al-Shabaab sternly, vowing to eliminate the group’s influence in the region. “We will not surrender even an inch of our land to criminals. We will track them down and deal with them decisively,” he said.
Additionally, Ruto criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for attempting to create divisions based on employment status and regional differences. He dismissed such tactics as lacking vision and leadership.
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In a significant policy shift, Ruto announced the abolition of mandatory vetting for residents of northern Kenya seeking national identity cards and passports. This move aims to ease long-standing bureaucratic hurdles affecting the region’s citizens.
Furthermore, Ruto unveiled major development initiatives for Mandera, including constructing a 740km Isiolo-Mandera road, a Ksh.1.8 billion investment in six markets, and Ksh.2.6 billion for electrification projects. The county will soon be connected to the Ethiopian power grid, boosting economic growth.
