Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, who is also President William Ruto’s personal lawyer, has ignited debate after openly agreeing with controversial remarks made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua regarding leadership in Northern Kenya.
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Ahmednasir described Gachagua as “unapologetically a Kikuyu supremist and a class A tribalist,” but insisted that the former deputy president was telling the truth when he criticised leaders from Northern Kenya over how they have handled devolution and public resources.
“Northern Kenya Leaders Have Failed Their People”—Ahmednasir”
According to Ahmednasir, Gachagua was “100 percent right” on several key issues affecting Northern Kenya since the introduction of devolution in 2013.
First, he accused leaders from the region of stealing from their own people and investing public funds in Nairobi rather than developing their counties. He argued that despite Northern Kenya receiving enormous allocations from the national government and donors, the region cannot account for approximately KSh 1 trillion that has flowed there since devolution began.
Secondly, the outspoken lawyer questioned why counties in Northern Kenya have failed to establish world-class institutions, including quality schools and hospitals, despite massive budgetary allocations. He alleged that much of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and county money has been “eaten” by political elites, leaving ordinary citizens trapped in poverty.
Leaders Living in Nairobi, Not Their Counties
Ahmednasir further claimed that most Northern Kenya leaders—including Members of County Assembly (MCAs)—live permanently in Nairobi, where they own homes and raise their families, while neglecting their constituencies.
“Where are their wives and children? In Nairobi. Where are their homes? Nairobi,” he wrote, arguing that this physical and emotional detachment from their regions explains the lack of visible development on the ground.
He singled out counties such as Garissa and Marsabit, questioning how over KSh 300 billion in devolved funds could be spent with little to show in terms of infrastructure, services, or economic transformation.
Gachagua “Playing Politics” but Speaking Truth
While acknowledging that Rigathi Gachagua’s remarks were politically motivated, Ahmednasir maintained that the substance of his message was factual and long overdue.
“Gachagua is playing politics, but when he talks about Northern Kenyan leaders and how they have let down their people, he is being truthful,” Ahmednasir stated, concluding that he fully agrees with that assessment.
Political Reactions Expected
The remarks are likely to spark backlash from leaders in Northern Kenya, especially coming from a figure closely associated with President Ruto. Observers say the comments may deepen regional tensions but also reopen a necessary conversation about accountability, corruption, and leadership failure under devolution.
As Kenya heads toward the 2027 political season, such blunt assessments from insiders within the ruling establishment are expected to fuel debate on whether devolution has truly worked for marginalized regions—or merely enriched a small political elite.
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