President William Ruto has officially apologised to the people of Northern Kenya for decades of state marginalisation that left the region underdeveloped.Speaking during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations at Wajir Stadium, he acknowledged that the 1965 Cabinet Sessional Paper No.10 prioritised 'high potential' areas while neglecting the northern frontier, which lacked proper roads, water, healthcare, and schools.President Ruto expressed deep regret and stated that such neglect was wrong then and remains wrong today.

He highlighted measures his government has taken to reverse this legacy of exclusion, including removing barriers to national identity cards and birth certificates, establishing teacher training colleges in Wajir, Kotulo, and Mandera, and fast-tracking Wajir University.In healthcare, over 800,000 residents are now registered with the Social Health Authority, with KSh8.1 billion paid in hospital claims.The government is also investing KSh38.5 billion in affordable housing and developing the 750km Northern Kenya Gateway Corridor to improve connectivity.Additionally, a KSh5 billion County Livestock Investment Company will support pastoralists across arid and semi-arid counties.

President Ruto assured the youth that their future will be shaped by talent and determination, not geography, and he renamed Wajir Stadium after the late MP Ahmed Khalif.

The celebrations were attended by top government officials, military commanders, and diplomatic representatives, signalling a major focus on inclusion and development in Northern Kenya.