Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched a sharp attack on leaders from Northern Kenya. He accused them of wasting huge devolved funds without creating strong public institutions.
During a press briefing in Nyeri on Friday, January 9, 2026, Gachagua rejected demands for affirmative action. He said ten years of devolution shows some counties do not need special slots in top schools.
Devolution started in 2013. Leaders there have not built institutions as fast as others. Yet they want their kids to use schools made by other counties.
They can build top-quality schools in Kenya. These would serve kids from their areas and the whole country. Gachagua pointed out that counties in Western, Rift Valley, and Mt Kenya regions did this with less money. They created fine institutions.
As deputy president, Gachagua saw little progress in Northern Kenya. Funds kept flowing, like the National Government-Constituency Development Fund. But new buildings did not match the cash.
I visited those areas as deputy president. I saw no new institutions to match the funding. Some leaders from there do not even live or work in their counties. They asked for rides on my plane every time. I flew them there and back.
Gachagua called for a real talk on affirmative action and zoning for national schools. He said devolution aimed to create fairness. CDF funds were split evenly for that goal. After 13 years, do any counties still need special help? We must discuss it. How long will affirmative action last?
These words come after Gachagua questioned the National Placement Service. It favors kids from marginalized areas for national and extra-county schools.
He also asked why students from other places get spots in Mt Kenya national schools. Local kids end up in weaker schools.
Leaders from Northern Kenya hit back hard. MPs like Farah Maalim and several governors spoke out. They said special help is still needed. Marginalization goes on, along with insecurity, few teachers, and cultural hurdles to school.
They want any changes to school policies done through official channels. Not through political speeches.
