By Abdullahi Jamaa
WAJIR, Kenya, July 28 – A committee exploring a possible 2027 presidential bid by Senator Okiya Omtatah on Tuesday met a section of residents from Wajir County to gather public views on governance and development, with poor road infrastructure, healthcare, education and water services emerging as the main concerns.
The Okiya Omtatah Presidential Exploratory Committee said the meeting was part of a nationwide exercise to collect views from residents in all 47 counties before completing its consultations.
Committee chairlady Mary Kathomi Riungu said the team was formed in 2024 following calls from members of the public urging Omtatah to contest the 2027 presidential election.
“It was formed in 2024 after there was a huge clamour that Senator Okiya Omtatah should vie for the presidency in 2027,” Riungu said. “Our mandate was to go to 47 counties across the country and we are concluding that job today.”
She said the committee was simultaneously conducting consultations in neighbouring Mandera County while another delegation met residents in Wajir.
“We are listening to the local people to understand what exactly are their issues on national politics, county politics and the issues really affecting the people,” Riungu said.
According to Riungu, the condition of the road linking Wajir to Garissa and the rest of the country dominated discussions with residents.
“The road that connects Wajir County to Garissa, to the rest of the country, is in poor shape,” she said. “There’s a serious problem.”
Riungu claimed that poor infrastructure had left residents facing long travel times and limited connectivity with other parts of the country.
Residents attending the forum also raised concerns about the delivery of public services, particularly healthcare.
Warfa Abdi Ismail, a Wajir resident who participated in the engagement, said participants were asked about challenges facing the county, including education, health and water.
“The biggest problem we have are the people we elected,” Ismail said, alleging that elected leaders only engage residents during election periods.
He also expressed concern over delays in the construction of the road linking Wajir with the rest of the country.
“The President always talks about this road that he will start from Samatar, but still we do not have the road,” he said.
On healthcare, Ismail acknowledged improvements in hospital infrastructure but said shortages of medicines remained a major challenge.
“The Level Five hospital now is okay and it is not bad, but the biggest problem is availability of medicine. We are told to go purchase medicine,” he said.
Another resident, Ibrahim Abdi Ali, also criticised healthcare services, claiming patients seeking treatment at public hospitals are often referred to private pharmacies.
“When we go to the hospital we are told to go to the pharmacy,” Ali said.
The exploratory committee’s visit comes as political activity ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election gradually gathers momentum. Similar public consultation forums have been held in other counties as the committee seeks to gauge public opinion on governance and national priorities before Senator Okiya Omtatah decides whether to mount a presidential campaign.
