By Abdullahi Jamaa
Wajir is strategically positioned to serve as the headquarters of the Northeastern region. Its geographical location makes it more accessible to the two counties of Garissa and Mandera and offers an opportunity to build a more integrated regional economy and improve access to government services.
Moving the regional headquarters from Garissa to Wajir should not be viewed as an attempt to undermine Garissa or its people. It should instead be considered a strategic decision aimed at creating a more balanced region, improving service delivery and unlocking opportunities for businesses and communities across Northeastern Kenya.
At present, the relationship and interdependence among Wajir, Garissa and Mandera remain fragmented. Garissa is more closely connected economically and socially to Nairobi and parts of eastern Kenya, while Mandera’s proximity to Somalia has created strong cross-border economic and social linkages.
There is, of course, transport connectivity between Wajir and Garissa, with several bus companies operating between the two counties. But physical connectivity has not translated into equally strong economic integration. The region’s enormous potential remains largely untapped.
Distance is one of the biggest barriers.
Garissa is approximately 314 kilometres from Wajir, while Wajir is about 391 kilometres from Mandera. The distance between Garissa and Mandera is more than 700 kilometres. For residents of Mandera, travelling to the southern end of the region for government services can therefore be costly, time-consuming and unnecessarily burdensome.
Consider a resident of Mandera who needs to obtain a passport or access another government service available at the regional headquarters. Such a journey can involve hundreds of kilometres of travel, additional accommodation costs and several days away from work or family.
This is not simply a question of geography. It is a question of equity in public service delivery. A headquarters located closer to the geographical centre could reduce the burden on communities living at the northern periphery.
Wajir offers an opportunity to do precisely that.
For example, a resident of Elwak in Mandera would find it considerably easier to travel to Wajir, roughly 176 kilometres away, access a government service and return home within a day. That would mean lower transport and accommodation costs and less time spent travelling simply to access a public service.
Relocating the headquarters to Wajir could also strengthen the economic ties among the three counties. A central regional administration would bring government institutions, businesses, professionals and communities closer together and could encourage greater movement of people, goods, capital and ideas across the region.
The argument is therefore not about taking something away from Garissa. It is about creating something bigger for Northeastern Kenya.
For decades, the region has struggled with geographical isolation, limited economic opportunities and uneven access to services. In an increasingly interconnected continent, these barriers should not be allowed to define the future of the region.
The African Union’s Agenda 2063 envisions an integrated and prosperous Africa driven by inclusive growth and sustainable development. For Northeastern Kenya to contribute meaningfully to that vision, the region must begin thinking beyond individual counties and build stronger economic and social linkages across their shared space.
With a regional population of about 2.5 million according to the 2019 Census, Northeastern Kenya represents a significant market and human resource base. That population has grown since the census, further strengthening the case for planning regional institutions around accessibility, economic integration and future demand.
Moving regional government bureaucracies and institutions closer to the centre of the region could help create a more balanced platform on which Wajir, Garissa and Mandera participate in and benefit from regional development.
The question should therefore not be whether Garissa deserves to remain the headquarters. The more important question is whether the current arrangement delivers the greatest benefit to the entire region.
The future of Northeastern Kenya should be built around bringing the region socially and economically together.
