Isacko Kuni Praises Ruto for Tackling Historical Marginalisation in Northern Kenya

Isacko Kuni has praised President William Ruto’s administration for addressing historical marginalisation in northern Kenya, arguing that improved access to government services and the creation of new sub-counties are helping communities that have long felt excluded from national development.

Kuni said he believes the President is committed to implementing the “Usawa Ni Sawa, Mbele Pamoja” agenda despite opposition criticism, adding that the changes are beginning to address longstanding inequalities affecting regions such as Isiolo and Marsabit.

According to Kuni, Isiolo has experienced years of marginalisation, but the current administration has made efforts to bring government services closer to residents through administrative changes and improved access to public institutions.

He described the government’s interventions as a significant step towards ensuring that residents in historically underserved areas enjoy the same opportunities as other Kenyans.

Kuni raises concerns over national ID vetting

Kuni also highlighted challenges surrounding the issuance of national identity cards, particularly the vetting process faced by residents of northern Kenya and other historically marginalised regions.

He said the process disproportionately affects communities in the region, recounting that he personally underwent vetting multiple times before seeking to obtain identification documents.

Kuni argued that such barriers deny residents access to essential government services and opportunities, including education financing.

He noted that students from northern Kenya who lack national identity cards can struggle to access Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, potentially disrupting their education.

According to him, the situation highlights the need for fairer and more consistent identification procedures to ensure that eligible citizens are not disadvantaged because of where they come from.

Kuni also pointed to the reported issuance of national identity cards to 7,000 previously stateless Kenyans in Kwale County as an example of progress in addressing documentation challenges affecting marginalised communities.

‘Development and equality are our rights’

Kuni maintained that access to development and equal treatment should be regarded as constitutional entitlements rather than privileges that citizens must plead with the government to receive.

“Development and equality are our rights as Kenyans, not something to beg for,” he said, praising Ruto for pushing initiatives intended to ensure ordinary citizens experience the benefits of government policies.

He argued that access to identification documents is particularly important because it determines whether citizens can access education financing and other essential services.

For communities that have historically struggled with documentation and access to government institutions, Kuni said, removing these barriers is a necessary step towards achieving equality.

His remarks place renewed focus on the relationship between national identification, access to public services and the broader question of historical marginalisation in Kenya.