By Wajir Today Reporter
The Tutam Brigade on Sunday pitched camp in Tarbaj Constituency, Wajir County, for the second day of its Women and Youth Empowerment Fund Drive, an initiative aimed at uplifting livelihoods while also drumming up support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who led the government delegation, underscored the administration’s commitment to accelerating socio-economic transformation in the North Eastern region through large-scale infrastructure projects.
“To spur grassroots entrepreneurship and improve the quality of life, the government is prioritising roads, modern markets, and electricity connectivity. In Wajir, Sh3 billion worth of electrification projects are underway, targeting 18,000 households across all constituencies,” Prof. Kindiki said.
The Deputy President added that the government is constructing four hybridisation power plants, including one in Wajir, to ensure a reliable energy supply. In Tarbaj Constituency, Sh556 million is being invested to connect 2,837 households to the grid.
The Deputy President noted that affordable housing, student hostels, and modern markets under construction are already creating jobs for hundreds of young people while stimulating local economic growth.
The event brought together top leaders including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, and legislators from Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, and other parts of the country.
Speaker Wetang’ula affirmed that the government is focusing on critical infrastructure, from roads and modern markets to electricity connectivity, to unlock grassroots entrepreneurship and uplift the quality of life for residents.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi hailed the empowerment drive as a crucial step towards sustainable livelihoods, while Tarbaj MP Hussein Abdi Barre, the event’s host, thanked President Ruto for prioritising investment in electricity connectivity, describing it as “life-changing” for local communities.
Other leaders present included Senator Abass Sheikh Mohamed, Wajir County MP Fatuma Abdi Jehow, Dadaab MP Farah Maalim, Eldas MP Adan Keynan, Mandera East MP Hussein Weytan, and Garissa Township MP Major Dekow Barrow, among others.
Leaders across the political divide echoed a common call for unity of purpose and structured investment to unlock the region’s potential.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan described the function as a “platform to reaffirm a people-centred development agenda,” while Wajir County MP Fatuma Jehow emphasised the need for equal access to resources across all regions.
Nominated MP Suleka Hulbale Harun noted that aligning local priorities with national development plans will ensure inclusivity and growth that “leaves no one behind.”
The Tarbaj event followed a similar empowerment engagement held earlier on Saturday in Wajir Town.
