Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has pitched camp in the vast, arid expanse of Northern Kenya, declaring a new dawn for the region if his coalition ascends to power. In a fiery address, the veteran diplomat termed the historical neglect of the North as "economic apartheid" and pledged a radical strengthening of devolution to cure it.

Speaking to crowds that braved the scorching sun, Kalonzo argued that the Equalization Fund has been a drop in the ocean. His blueprint involves not just sending money, but devolving power over security and resource management—key sticking points for pastoralist communities plagued by banditry and drought.

The Devolution Dividend

"Nairobi has eaten the meat and left you with the bones for too long," Kalonzo thundered, employing his signature metaphorical style. He promised to ensure that 35% of national revenue goes to counties, a proposal that resonates deeply in regions where the nearest tarmac road can be 200 kilometers away.

• Resource Control: Kalonzo vowed to fast-track laws that allow communities to benefit directly from local minerals and renewable energy projects like wind and solar.
• Security overhaul: He linked development to security, promising a localized policing structure that understands the terrain and the clans, moving away from the "military force" approach that has often failed.
• 2027 Calculations: Political pundits see this tour as a strategic move to lock the pastoralist vote, a swing block that has become increasingly assertive in national bargaining.

Promises vs Reality

While the rhetoric is sweet, residents have heard it before. Northern Kenya remains the graveyard of campaign promises. Kalonzo’s challenge will be to convince a skeptical electorate that he offers a tangible shift from the status quo, and not just another season of political tourism.

For now, the Kamba kingpin has planted his flag in the sand, betting that the road to State House passes through the dusty plains of the North.