A host of Mandera leaders have implored President William Ruto to intervene and fast-track several electricity projects in the region.
Speaking during the president’s tour of the region on Tuesday, February 4 2025, the leaders thanked President Ruto for his frequent visits to the region but decried a lack of sufficient power in the area and asked the president to help address the menace.
MP Abdul Kore of Mandera South led the calls as he asked the president to intervene in the biggest energy project in the county.
The MP urged the president to give an order for the resumption of the project meant to benefit many households.
“During the campaign, we welcomed you to Elwak with one heart. This is the second biggest sub-county in Mandera. My people of Elwak are still in the dark despite your promise to solve their electricity problem, a year ago,” he said.
“The biggest energy project in the region is here in Elwak. The energy project hybridization project. The process has dragged on for a long time, kindly order them and the process will be fast-tracked before Ramadhan reaches.”
“I request that Mandera has had the problem of power. In December, I communicated and you sent 1.5 megawatts of power. You helped to get the power from generators kindly add another 1.5 as we head to Ramadhan. Kindly help us,” MP Abdi Sirat requested.
Chairman of the pastoralist parliamentary group chairman and Mandera North MP Bashir Abdullahi also amplified the calls as he urged the president to consider tapping it from Ethiopia.
“Without repeating many things, we have the problem of power. The best option to sort it is to tap it from Ethiopia. It will be a cheaper option and we hope you can do something by talking to the country’s prime minister. We are as pastoralists will be thankful,” the MP pleaded.
“Last time when we joined you at Bura you instructed Kenya Power to connect the region. I want to tell you most work has been done and the lines are ready for commissioning that will help houses light up,” Laffey MP Abdukarim added.
Other leaders who attended the event included senator Ali Roba, Mahmoud Mahammed governor of Marsabit the regions deputy governor, MPs Haji Yussuf of Mandera West, Omar Mohammed Maalim the county national speaker, Bura MP Yakub Kuno, MP Abdul Kore of Mandera South and Zulekha Harun and Umulkheir Kassim women representatives of the region.
The president’s tour in the region is set to last four days with developmental projects in infrastructure, education, and security among the issues to be addressed. Key issues like the poor road network, lack of electricity, and security concerns due to regional conflicts are on the agenda.
