Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has issued a stinging rebuttal to claims that Northern Kenya's development lag is due to poor leadership, terming the accusations "disconnected from reality."

The Council of Governors Vice-Chair was responding to remarks by political figures, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, suggesting that the region has little to show for the billions received in equitable share. Abdullahi's defense was not just a denial; it was a counter-charge grounded in the unique hardships of the frontier counties.

The "Starting from Zero" Defense

"You cannot compare Wajir to Kiambu," Abdullahi argued during a passionate address. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-15)"We started from a base of negative zero. When devolution came, we didn't have a single kilometer of tarmac in some areas. Today, we have built medical training colleges from scratch, tarmac roads, and water pans in the deep interior."

The Governor emphasized that a significant portion of devolved funds in the North is consumed by crisis management—specifically drought and emergency relief—which "eats into the development budget in a way that doesn't happen in high-potential areas."

• Infrastructure Gains: Abdullahi cited the construction of over 50km of standard tarmac roads using county funds as a miracle of fiscal discipline, given the high cost of inputs in the region.
• The Political Angle: The Governor hinted that the attacks were politically motivated, punishing the region for its alignment with the current administration. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-17)"We made a decision to work with the government of the day," he stated. "We should not be profiled for it."

A Question of Equity

The spat reignites the perennial debate on the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) formula. Leaders from the North argue that "one man, one shilling" ignores the vastness of the territory and the cost of service delivery. "It costs ten times more to deliver a vaccine in Wajir South than in Thika," Abdullahi noted.

As the devolution conference approaches, the Governor's strong stance signals that the Northern Bloc will not accept being the punching bag for national fiscal frustrations. They are demanding respect for the strides made, however invisible they may be to Nairobi-based critics.